Available in 2024
Course code

ENVS3003

Units

10 units

Level

3000 level

Course handbook

Description

The principles of nature conservation and the paradigm of global biodiversity comprise the core of this course. The past and present impacts of urban development, invasive species, disease and climate change on biodiversity loss in Australian ecosystems and biomes are analysed. Implications of threatening processes for the management of natural systems and wildlife are considered. In this course, you will apply principles of ecology, genetics, population dynamics, and spatial analysis to conservation biology at various landscape scales from the local to continental biomes. You will explore the levels of organisation of biodiversity from genes to populations, species and ecosystems and how these levels provide context for understanding theory and practice. You will develop an understanding of how human values, attitudes and behaviour can assist conservation practice. You will learn through class work and participation in field studies.


Availability2024 Course Timetables

Callaghan

  • Semester 2 - 2024

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Define and communicate the key paradigms of Conservation Biology relating to theory and practice of the discipline;

2. Compile and analyse historical, ecological and demographic data to identify causes of biodiversity loss;

3. Predict how distributions and abundances of populations change through the use of computer simulations

4. Work as a team member on a conservation project, identifying key roles, displaying effective oral and written communication, time management and meeting individual responsibilities in achieving project outcomes.


Content

Topics will be selected from:

1. What is Conservation Biology? What is biodiversity? How is biodiversity measured?

 2. Landscape and spatial scales in Conservation

3. Drivers of extinction of Australian Fauna

4. Species distribution modelling and spatial conservation planning - explaining species distributions, connectivity and reserve design; spatial information systems and databases.

5. Invasive species theory; impacts on native fauna; managing invasive species

6. Population modelling and simulation, population dynamics.

7.Urban Ecology – urban biodiversity patterns, theory, conservation of urban biodiversity.

8. Population modelling and simulation, population dynamics

9. Genetics: genetic variation and extinction risks from inbreeding within small populations; genetic rescue; population simulation models

10. Translocation, reintroduction and assisted colonisation for the restoration of native fauna, ecological communities and ecosystem services.

11. Conservation psychology: the study and role of human attitudes, values, morals and behaviour in conservation science; human behavioural change; conservation messaging. 


Requisite

This course replaces EMGT3030. If you have successfully completed EMGT3030 you cannot enrol in this course.


Assumed knowledge

ENVS2006 Ecology & Management of Australian Fauna (previously EMGT2050) and ENVS2004 Ecology (previously BIOL2070)


Assessment items

Tutorial / Laboratory Exercises: Computer Assignments

Quiz: Multiple quizzes will assess knowledge acquisition in the field of conservation biology

Participation: Field Work Participation and Engagement

Report: Written Reports


Contact hours

Semester 2 - 2024 - Callaghan

Field Study-1
  • Face to Face Off Campus 34 hour(s) per term
  • In order to participate in field work, students must complete a compulsory safety and fieldwork induction delivered during fieldwork hours.
  • Compulsory Requirement: Students must meet the compulsory attendance requirement.
Lecture-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 4 week(s) starting in week 1
Lecture-2
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 4 week(s) starting in week 3
Tutorial-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 1 week(s) starting in week 1
Workshop-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 4 week(s) starting in week 1

Course outline