Course manual 2017/2018
Course content
- Workshop/discussion on the scientific and philosophical argments for the conservation of nature and biodiversity; origin 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;
- 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 and excursions on restoration ecology: overview of the approaches developed in The Netherlands to restore 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” presenting opposing views by dr. Frans Vera and dr. Bas van Geel on the target image for nature conservation in Europe;
- Workshop/discussions conservation biology in the international arena: conserving wilderness, the interrelationships between social-economical problems and nature conservation, role and attitude of world religions towards nature and nature conservation;
- Lectures “Green 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
Other
- There is no study book. All necessary study material will be distributed during the course via Blackboard.
Objectives
After this course, the student is able to:
- 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
| Lectures |
30% |
| Workshops/discussions/assignments |
40% |
| Excursions |
10% |
| Self tuition |
20% |
Learning activities
| Symposium |
8 |
| Excursie |
18 |
| Hoorcollege |
12 |
| Presentatie |
20 |
| Tentamen |
3 |
| Vragenuur |
2 |
| Werkcollege |
12 |
| Zelfstudie |
80 |
| Totaal |
147 |
Attendance
Programme's requirements concerning attendance (OER-B):
- Participation in all practical (computer) sessions, field work and seminars in the curriculum is obligatory.
Assessment
|
# Questions
|
Course Topic
|
|
2
|
PVA assignment + presentation discussions
|
|
2
|
Lectures NERN symposium
|
|
4
|
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.
Assignments
PVA assignment
group assignment, group presentation, direct feedback, not graded, group size 4-5
Presentations International Conservation issues
group assignment, duo-presentation, direct feedback, not graded, group size 2
Ex situ conservation 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.
- Student presentations on topics concerning International Conservation Biology: in groups of 2, students select one topic on which they read 2-3 papers and then prepare a short (10 min) summarising (duo)presentation.
- Ex situ conservation assignment: Students are subdivided into six groups, each representing a zoo, botanic garden 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 fulfill 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.uva.nl/plagiarism
Course structure
|
week 1
|
•preparation for group presentation on PVA of given species (choice)
•working group Conservation Genetics (28/11)
•NERN symposium “Innovations in Conservation” (29/11)
•PVA ‘symposium’ on Fri 1 Dec
|
|
week 2
|
•4 & 5 Dec: presentations on topics International Conservation Biology, Serge Wich
•reading papers on “ex situ conservation” (groups)
•excursion ‘Dynamic Dune Management’, Kennemerduinen (Thu 7 Dec)
•group presentations/discussion session “ex situ conservation”
|
|
week 3
|
•lectures on conservation policy and restoration ecology
•cases in nature conservation law (12 Dec, guest: Bibi Krot, HABITAT Advocaten)
•reading papers & discussion on invasive species problems
•reading papers & discussion session Frans Vera & Bas van Geel: ecological reference for (Dutch/European) wilderness (13 Dec, together with students AUC)
•excursion to ecological restoration area Millingerwaard (Thu 14 Dec)
|
|
week 4
|
•question hour Wed 20-12 : 11-13h
•Preparing for exam (on Fri 22-12, between 9-12 h, SP C0.05)
|
Het rooster van dit vak is in te zien op DataNose.
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.
Participation in the 2017 NERN symposium requires an additional fee of €15 per student
Coordinator
Staff
- dr. Bas van Geel
- drs. Bibi Krot LLM
- dr. F.W.M. Vera
- prof. dr. S.A. Wich