Biology 370: Conservation Biology
Dr. Peter Hodum
Fall 2015
lecture Tu Th
lab Tu
9:30-10:50am
1:00-4:50pm
TH 297
TH 267
“Death is one thing, an end to birth is something else.”
-Gary SnyderCourse description
Conservation biology began to develop as a coherent discipline in the 1980s, as a
result of the growing recognition of the need for a formal field of study dedicated to
understanding the causes and consequences of the growing loss of species and functional
natural systems and ways of halting this trend. This course focuses on biological concepts
and techniques fundamental to the science of conservation biology and considers them in
the context of economic, social and political factors that influence conservation in practice.
Course learning outcomes
1. Demonstrate understanding of fundamental concepts underlying the science of
conservation biology, including
a.
patterns of biodiversity and biodiversity loss
b.
extinction patterns and processes
c.
population dynamics
d.
metapopulations
e.
habitat degradation, loss, fragmentation
f.
invasive species
g.
climate change
h.
population genetics
i.
species-level issues
j.
evolutionary considerations
k.
community-level issues
l.
large-scale ecological processes of ecosystems and landscapes
m.
reserve design
n.
restoration ecology
o.
conceptual challenges of marine/aquatic conservation
2. Demonstrate an understanding of how the field of conservation biology encompasses
the pursuit of biological knowledge within current economic and sociopolitical systems
3. Demonstrate the ability to read, interpret and discuss relevant literature critically
4. Demonstrate effective communication with distinct audiences, in both oral and written
form
5. Demonstrate the ability to identify requisite steps for conservation success by applying
conservation science knowledge to specific scenarios
Textbooks (required)
Groom, M.J., G.K. Meffe, and C.R. Carroll. 2006. Principles of Conservation Biology, 3rd
edition.
1
My expectations of you
The following list is not comprehensive, but includes several of the more important
expectations that I have of each of you.
1. attend class consistently
2. be prepared for class (come prepared to participate and become involved)
3. participate actively in class discussions, group work, etc.
4. turn in assignments on time
5. be respectful of both your peers in the course and me
6. treat the class as a learning community
7. abide by the UPS student integrity code
8. take full advantage of the course as an opportunity to learn, think critically, and
have fun!
What you can expect of me
Just as I have expectations of you, it is only fair to offer several things that you can expect
from me. I will attempt, at a minimum, to meet the following expectations.
1. create a positive and enjoyable learning community in the classroom
2. encourage you to be actively engaged in your learning
3. grade assignments in a timely manner
4. bring enthusiasm and a genuine interest in/commitment to the course topics
5. be respectful and supportive
6. challenge you in positive, constructive ways
7. show up to each class meeting on time and well-prepared
Contact Information
Office: TH 257G
Campus phone: 253-879-2789
E-mail: phodum@pugetsound.edu
Office hours Mon 11:00-12:00pm; Weds 10:00-11:00am; Thurs 11:00am-1:00pm. Whenever
possible, I also try to maintain an open door policy when I am on campus, so please feel
free to visit outside of office hours. I would recommend that you chat with me after class to
arrange a mutually agreeable time to meet or call or email me ahead of time to make sure
that I am available.
Course Assignments
The course grade will be based on the following:
2 celebrations of knowledge (exam)
1 final celebration of knowledge (final exam)
urban conservation group research project
lab write-ups
grant proposal and oral presentation
EoPS species account
question sets/writings based on readings
class participation
TOTAL
% of overall grade points
2@15% each
300
20%
200
10%
100
5%
50
25%
250
5%
50
2.5%
25
2.5%
25
1000
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CLASSROOM EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDANCE
Please review university emergency preparedness and response procedures posted at
www.pugetsound.edu/emergency/. There is a link on the university home
page. Familiarize yourself with hall exit doors and the designated gathering area for your
class and laboratory buildings.
If building evacuation becomes necessary (e.g. earthquake), meet your instructor at the
designated gathering area so she/he can account for your presence. Then wait for further
instructions. Do not return to the building or classroom until advised by a university
emergency response representative.
If confronted by an act of violence, be prepared to make quick decisions to protect your
safety. Flee the area by running away from the source of danger if you can safely do so. If
this is not possible, shelter in place by securing classroom or lab doors and windows,
closing blinds, and turning off room lights. Stay low, away from doors and windows, and as
close to the interior hallway walls as possible. Wait for further instructions.
DISABILITY STATEMENT
If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your
course work, please contact Peggy Perno, Director of the Office of Accessibility and
Accommodation, 105 Howarth, 253.879.3395. She will determine with you what
accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is
confidential.
STUDENT BEREAVEMENT POLICY
Upon approval from the Dean of Students’ Office, students who experience a death in the family, including parent, grandparent, sibling, or persons living in the same household, are
allowed three consecutive weekdays of excused absences, as negotiated with the Dean of
Students’. For more information, please see the Academic Handbook.
3
LECTURE SCHEDULE
DATE
1 Sept.
T
3 Sept.
Th
8 Sept.
T
10 Sept.
Th
15 Sept.
T
17 Sept.
Th
22 Sept.
T
24 Sept.
Th
29 Sept.
T
1 Oct.
Th
6 Oct.
8 Oct.
13 Oct.
15 Oct.
T
Th
T
Th
20 Oct.
22 Oct.*
T
Th
27 Oct.*
T
29 Oct.*
Th
3 Nov.
T
5 Nov.
Th
10 Nov.
T
LECTURE TOPIC
BIODIVERSITY OVERVIEW
course overview; what is conservation biology?
biodiversity: patterns and processes
biodiversity: patterns and processes cont.
biodiversity: threats
POPULATION DYNAMICS
patterns of endangerment and vulnerability;
estimating population vital rates; population
growth
DISCUSSION: population vital rates paper
population dynamics
demography; density-dependence
MECHANISMS/DRIVERS
DISCUSSION: population dynamics paper
metapopulations
habitat loss, alteration and fragmentation
READING
DISCUSSION: habitat alteration paper
readings: Moodle
Groom Ch. 10
Groom Ch. 9
readings: Moodle
climate change
invasive species/invasion biology
POPULATIONS
DISCUSSION: invasive species paper
population genetics
population genetics
EXAM 1
population genetics
DISCUSSION: conservation genetics paper
dynamics of small/declining populations
NO CLASS: FALL BREAK
Guest lecture: Stacey Weiss
animal behavior and conservation
Documentary on conservation
Guest lecture: Peter Wimberger
evolutionary implications of conservation
biology
species approaches to conservation
DISCUSSION: evolutionary implications paper
species approaches to conservation
ECOSYSTEMS AND LANDSCAPES
DISCUSSION: species-level conservation paper
ecosystem management
Groom Ch. 1 and 2
Groom Ch. 3
reading: Moodle
Groom Ch. 3
readings: Moodle
readings: Moodle
Groom Ch. 12 (p. 420-431)
Groom Ch. 12 (p. 420-431)
readings: Moodle
Groom Ch. 6, 7
readings: Moodle
Groom Ch. 11
Groom Ch. 11
readings: Moodle
readings: Moodle
readings: Moodle
readings: Moodle
readings: Moodle
readings: Moodle
Groom Ch. 12 (p. 432-443)
Groom Ch. 12 (p. 432-443)
readings: Moodle
readings: Moodle
4
12 Nov.
17 Nov.
19 Nov.
24 Nov.
Th
T
Th
T
26 Nov.
1 Dec.
3 Dec.
Th
T
Th
EXAM 2
ecosystem management
overexploitation and trophic cascades
DISCUSSION: impacts of overexploitation paper
conservation at the landscape scale
NO CLASS: HAPPY THANKSGIVING
reserve and protected area design
restoration ecology
8 Dec.
T
integrating science and policy
conservation in the real world; what we can do
15 Dec.
T
FINAL EXAM: 8:00-10:00am
Groom Ch. 13
Groom Ch. 8
readings: Moodle
Groom Ch. 12 (p. 444-465)
Groom Ch. 14
Groom Ch. 15
readings: Moodle
readings: Moodle
Groom Ch. 17, 18 (p. 664-678)
The above topic schedule is tentative and, depending on the quality and depth of our
discussions on various topics, may vary slightly.
In the end our society will be defined not only by what we create,
but by what we refuse to destroy.
-John Sawhill-
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Lab schedule
BIOL 370 Conservation Biology
Fall 2015
Lab date
1 Sept.
8 Sept.
15 Sept.
22 Sept.
29 Sept.
Activity
Paper discussion: Considerations of relevance in conservation
Quantifying biodiversity
Population modeling; Population dynamics computer simulation
FIELD TRIP: Edge effects and fragmentation (Pack Experimental Forest)
(1) Elwha River field trip discussion + videos
(2) Tacoma urban conservation biology project overview
3 Oct. SAT. WEEKEND FIELD TRIP: Elwha River restoration
6 Oct.
(1) Tacoma urban conservation biology project
 develop/refine research questions

(2) Encyclopedia of Puget Sound research project
Due dates for species account:
draft account
Mon. 2 Nov.
reviewed account
Mon. 9 Nov.
final account
Mon. 16 Nov.
13 Oct.
FIELD TRIP: Tacoma urban conservation biology project
 Field test methods; collect pilot data
20 Oct.
NO LAB: FALL BREAK
27 Oct.
OPEN LAB: urban conservation project
3 Nov.
OPEN LAB: urban conservation project
10 Nov.
Computer simulation: PopTools population model
Due date for species population model
Fri. 20 Nov.
17 Nov.
FIELD TRIP: Restoration ecology and monitoring (Nisqually NWR)
24 Nov.
NO LAB: HAPPY THANKSGIVING
1 Dec.
Discussion: Conservation in a human world
8 Dec.
Grant proposal presentations