Course manual 2025/2026
Course content
- Workshop/discussion on the scientific and philosophical argments for the conservation of nature and biodiversity; origin and basic principles of the discipline Conservation Biology;
- Group assignment Population Viability Analysis (PVA): investigate (in the scientific literature) the potential causes for the decline and extinction of a number of species, and determine which ecological, demographic and genetic processes affect the viability of the remaining populations;
- Lectures “Nature conservation policy in the Netherlands”: contents of the Dutch government policy plans, target types, financing sources of nature management, Ecological Infrastructure (EHS), Natura 2000;
- Writing assignment on one from a list of timely topics in Conservation Biology. The essays will receive feedback and will be graded. The assignment includes a session to ask questions and a session with short (~5 min) presentations.
- Workshop/discussion Invasive species: "Should we discriminate species based on their origin?". Discussion on policy and management of invasive exotics and the scientific and societal aspects that play a role in this discussion;
- Lectures on restoration ecology: overview of the approaches developed in The Netherlands to restore terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems/habitats and their biota; learning about the problems that arise while trying to implement scientific theories in conservation practice; scientific basis and societal support;
- Workshop/discussion “Reference for Dutch nature” with a presentation by dr. Frans Vera on interpreting data regarding the target image for nature conservation in Europe;
- Workshop “Conservation Law”: acquire insight in the main national and international legal instruments for nature conservation; national and international developments in nature conservation policy (EU Habitat- and Bird Directive, Natura 2000, Convention on Biological Diversity, Law of the Sea, etc.).
Study materials
Literature
Other
Objectives
- form and defend a science-based opinion on the content of the concept of nature;
- identify which ecological and population biological and genetical processes play a role during the extinction of populations and species;
- construct a Population Viability Analysis on the basis of information in the scientific literature;
- link conservation biological problems to ethical, societal and socio-economical aspects;
- judge which national and international laws and legal instruments can be applied to the conservation of species and habitats;
- assess possibilities and approaches to use scientific knowledge for a sustainable conservation and recovery of biodiversity;
- develop a critical attitude towards scientific solutions to sustainable conservation and recovery of biodiversity;
- explain which problems occur during the practice of conservation biology and ecological restoration by means of excursions and discussions with reserve managers.
Teaching methods
- Fieldwork/excursion
- Presentation/symposium
- Self-study
- Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
- Lecture
- Seminar
| Lectures |
30% |
| Workshops/discussions/assignments |
40% |
| Excursions |
10% |
| Self tuition |
20% |
Learning activities
| Excursion |
18 |
| Lectures |
7 |
| Presentations |
10 |
| Exam |
3 |
| Question hour |
2 |
| Working group |
18 |
| Assignments |
28 |
| Zelfstudie |
60 |
| Totaal |
147 |
Attendance
Some course components require compulsory attendance. If compulsory attendance applies, this will be indicated in the Course Catalogue which can be consulted via the UvA-website. The rationale for and implementation of this compulsory attendance may vary per course and, if applicable, is included in the Course Manual.
Assessment
| Item and weight
|
Details
|
|
| |
|
| Must be ≥ 5.5 |
|
| Must be ≥ 5.1 |
|
# Questions
|
Course Topic
|
|
3
|
PVA assignment + presentation discussions
|
|
3
|
Student presentations working group Serge Wich
|
|
2
|
Excursions to Kennemerduinen and Millingerwaard
|
|
1
|
Working group Conservation law (Bibi Krot)
|
|
2
|
Lectures Gerard Oostermeijer conservation policy & restoration
|
|
1
|
Ecological reference debate (Frans Vera & Bas van Geel)
|
|
2
|
Discussions on ex situ conservation and invasive species problems
|
Inspection of assessed work
Contact the course coordinator to make an appointment for inspection.
Each student will receive feedback to the writing assessment and the grading rubric that has been used.
The correct answers to the exam questions will be published on Canvas a few days after the exam. Please contact the coordinator individually to inspect the differences between your answers and this answer model.
Assignments
PVA assignment
group assignment, group presentation, direct feedback, not graded, group size 4-5
Ex situ conservation assignment
Writing assignment
The course comprises the following assignments. None of these is graded directly. The exam contains questions on each assignment.
- PVA assignment: in groups of 4-5, students read literature on species' ecology, habitat/distribution change, demography, reproductive biology, population genetics and use the data/information to make an assessment of its population viability (Population Viability Assessment). They prepare a group presentation that they present and defend in a symposium on the PVA's for 10 species.
- Writing assignment: the students individually write an essay, a peer review or a critical review of max. 1500 words. Each paper will receive feedback and will be graded. During a joint session, each student will present an opinion pitch of ~5 minutes (timed).
- Ex situ conservation assignment: Students are subdivided into 8-10 groups, each representing a zoo, botanic garden, the Living Archive foundation or the IUCN species survival committee. They select reading material from a provided list of papers, and prepare a 10 min pitch in which they present a statement of their organisation on what they believe is their role in the conservation of endangered plant or animal species, and how they want to fulfil this role in practice. The pitches are followed by a debate on the pros and cons of ex situ approaches for species conservation.
Fraud and plagiarism
The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl
Course structure
|
week 1
|
- workgroup: introduction to the course and discussion on concept 'nature'
- lecture: introduction to PVA assignment
- research for group presentation on PVA of given species
- working group Conservation Genetics
- working group Interpreting PVA-related scientific results
- PVA ‘symposium’
|
|
week 2
|
- lectures on Dutch Nature conservation policy
- excursion ‘Dynamic Dune Management’, Kennemerduinen
- reading papers on “ex situ conservation” (groups)
- group presentations/discussion session “ex situ conservation”
- Writing assignment, incl. question hour and presentation/discussion session
|
|
week 3
|
- Nature conservation law
- opinion pitches Assignment Reviewing Living Planet Report
- reading papers & discussion on invasive species problems
- reading papers & discussion session Frans Vera: ecological reference for the European wilderness
- Discussion session "Conservation Biology in the News"
- excursion to ecological restoration area Millingerwaard
|
|
week 4
|
• question hour Wed 17-12 : 13h
• Preparing for exam (exam is on Thu 18-12 (or Fri 19-12), between 13-16 h, SP C0.05)
|
Honours students can contact the coordinator to discuss additions to the regular course program.
- Basic knowledge from 1st and 2nd year courses on ecology and evolution, or equivalent, is assumed.
- There is a maximum of 40 students for this course.
Coordinator
Staff