BIO 122 Introduction to Conservation Biology 3 Credits
taught in conjunction with BIO 121 Ecology Lab
Description:
Historical and current perspectives on species extinction and global loss of biological diversity is presented. Methods used to conserve plant and animal life in the United States and around the world are surveyed, and conservation activities and needs are discussed in societal, cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Lecture: 3 credits.
Prerequisite: High school biology recommended.
Competencies:
Upon completion of this course, the student can:
1. explain the concept of biodiversity (=biological diversity) as used to describe community diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity within species.
2. list reasons why species become endangered or extinct, and distinguish between anthropogenic and nonanthropogenic causes.
3. outline the history of species loss and the historical development of the human conservation ethic.
4. evaluate the arguments given for preserving biodiversity, and articulate personal views on the need for conservation of biodiversity.
5. discuss the details of selected case histories of specific plant or animal extinction, endangerment, or conservation (as explored in class of outside of class).
6. explain the role of habitat loss in present loss of species, and how theories of island biogeography are applied to elucidate the effect of habitat loss.
7. describe major techniques applied to the preservation of species, including legislative action, habitat protection and restoration, preserve design, and captive breeding and reintroduction.
8. discuss conservation practice and effectiveness with an awareness of societal, cultural, economic, and political obstacles, and evaluate current conservation practice as weighed against future needs.
Outline:
I. Course Introduction
A. Biodiversity and its loss
B. Conservation of biodiversity
II. Historical Aspects of Species Loss
A. Mass extinctions in the fossil record
B. Human prehistory and species loss
C. European colonialism and species loss
D. Industrialization and species loss
E. Modern human population trends
F. Development of the modern conservation ethic
III. Extinction as a Natural Process
A. Ecology and Extinction
B. Evolution and Extinction
IV. Causes of Extinction
A. Hunting, poaching, and cutting
1. for food and subsistence
2. for products with commercial value
B. Predator Control
C. Egg robbing
D. Pollution
E. War
F. Habitat loss/alteration
1. forest cutting
2. agriculture/ranching
3. urbanization
4. the genetics of small populations
a. isolation
b. fragmentation
c. lack of gene flow
d. inbreeding effects
G. Factors making a species vulnerable to decline
V. Biodiversity and the Tropics
A. Diversity in the tropics
B. Species Loss in the Tropics
VI. The Systematics of Biodiversity Loss--Current Trends and Policies for Selected Taxa
A. State, federal, and international species status
B. Designations and their definitions
C. Lower organisms
1. Bacteria
2. Algae, protozoans, and molds
3. Fungi
D. Plants
1. Non-flowering
2. Flowering
E. Animals
1. Invertebrates
2. Vertebrates
a. fish
b. amphibians
c. reptiles
d. birds
e. mammals
i. small mammals
ii. marine mammals
iii. carnivores
iv. subungulates and ungulates
v. primates
VII. Preserving Biodiversity
A. Rationale
B. Governmental organizations and legislation
1. Endangered Species Act
2. Council on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna
C. Nongovernmental organizations
D. Role of zoos and botanical gardens
1. Captive breeding
2. Reintroduction
E. Preserves and parks
1. Design
2. Corridors
3. Habitat management and restoration
4. Enforcement
F. Future perspectives
Dates of Actions:
Approved: May 1992
Revised: December 2004