INTRODUCTION TO CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
EFB 413, Spring Semester, 2014
Lectures TTh 11:00 - 12:20, Marshall Auditorium
Instructor: James P. Gibbs, 404 Illick Hall, jpgibbs@esf.edu; phone: x6764
(1) Course overview
This course addresses a full range of issues related to the conservation of
biological diversity. The course’s intent is to provide you with an
understanding of the current extinction crisis and ways we can try to resolve
it. The class provides an introductory experience in the field of conservation
biology and is devoted to lectures with some in-class discussion.
(2) Course description
The course meets for 1.5 hours two times per week with class meetings
devoted to lectures and in-class discussion. Grading will be based on
performance on three, “non-cumulative” exams (all weighted equally) and 510 “pop” quizzes over material in the previous lecture. Exams will cover
material in both the lectures and the text. Performance on the three exams is
equally weighted. The assigned readings (on the course website:
http://www.esf.edu/efb/gibbs/efb413/) are for further, timely background but
are up to you to read for your own edification. Lecture presentations, reading
assignments and other related materials are available on the web site. I update
the lectures continually to keep them timely and usually post them 10
minutes before the actual lecture to assist you with note taking.
(3) Text and supporting materials
“Fundamentals of conservation biology” by M. L. Hunter and J. P. Gibbs,
Blackwell Science, 3rd edition
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(4) Schedule of lectures and text readings
Lecture topics:
Part I: Biodiversity and its importance
Class introduction. What is conservation biology?
What is biodiversity? The biodiversity hierarchy
How many species are there? Where do they occur?
Macroevolution: the source of species diversity
What good is biodiversity?
Exam I
Part II: Threats to Biodiversity
Historic extinctions: the megafauna and the island forms
Current extinctions
Population and consumption: interactions and inequalities
Exotic species
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Climate change
Overharvest
Pollution and disease
Small population phenomena
Population viability analysis
Exam II
Part III: Maintaining biodiversity
Zoos & Gardens
Species reintroductions
Establishing and designing protected areas
Making protected areas work
Part IV: The Human Factors
Conservation organizations: who they are and what they do
International and US-specific laws pertaining to biodiversity
Envisioning the future: depicting alternative scenarios
Exam III (not cumulative, likely during finals week)
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Text readings:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2, 3, 4 & 5
Chapter 2, 3, 4 & 5
Chapter 2, 3, 4 & 5
Chapter 2, 3, 4 & 5
Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Chapters 11, 12, 13, & 14
Chapters 11, 12, 13, & 14
Chapters 11, 12, 13, & 14
Chapters 11, 12, 13, & 14
Chapters 15, 16, & 17
Chapters 15, 16, & 17
Chapters 15, 16, & 17