ENVS6001
10 units
6000 level
Course handbook
Description
"Modern biology has produced a genuinely new way of looking at the world...to the degree that [when] we come to understand other organisms, we will place greater value on them, and on ourselves." (E.O. Wilson, 1984). Our concerns about the conservation of biodiversity are intrinsically related to the conservation of genetic diversity and the natural evolutionary system that shapes this diversity. Conservation biology focuses on understanding the biology of endangerment and the processes that influence this, while conservation science and management consider the regulatory environment and habitat management tools for mitigating such impacts. This course explores the principles of nature conservation and the paradigm of global biodiversity against the backdrop of the processes affecting them in the Anthropocene, such as climate change, global mobility and habitat degradation. Major patterns of biodiversity change and decline are investigated using case studies from around the world including the spread of wildlife disease, removal of apex predators and community knock-on effects and species loss due to habitat degradation. A major component of the course is a critique of the range of policy and practice initiatives designed to ameliorate anthropogenic impacts to biodiversity, including analysis of the statutory environment for impact assessment and consent conditions in developed and developing countries as well as recent advances in scientific and management methods including habitat manipulations and reintroductions.
Availability2024 Course Timetables
Online
- Trimester 2 - 2024
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Connect skills and theoretical knowledge to generate, analyse and interpret results relating to conservation science and management;
2. Investigate conservation biology problems and biological process (biology of endangerment) using computer simulations;
3. Reconstruct and communicate information from scholarly and grey literature in an engaging manner for a non-scientific audience;
4. Critically evaluate solutions including consideration of the history of the problem, logic around the problem, as well as feasibility and impact;
5. Conduct an independent research project that deals with a major issue in biodiversity, conservation science and management at the local, regional, national or international scale.
Content
1. The foundation and development of conservation biology:
- origins of conservation biology and the principles of nature conservation
- the paradigm of global biodiversity
- the global history of conservation planning
2. Understanding global biodiversity:
- valuing and measuring biodiversity
- global biodiversity hotspots
3. The biology of endangerment:
- population dynamics, viability and extinction
- protecting genetic diversity
- key threats to biodiversity
4. Conservation biology in action:
- legislative frameworks for biodiversity conservation (global, national, local)
- reproduction, reintroduction, restoration, replacement and resilience
- the data deficient environment of decision making in conservation management
Assessment items
Online Learning Activity: Learning activity
Report: Population simulation exercise and report
Project: Major research project
Contact hours
Trimester 2 - 2024 - Online
Self-Directed Learning-1
- Self-Directed 10 hour(s) per week(s) for 13 week(s) starting in week 1
- Students are required to spend on average, 10 - 12 hours per week (non-contact) on self-directed learning.
Tutorial-1
- Online 1 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1
Course outline
- ENVS6001 - Trimester 2, 2024 (Online) (PDF, 146.7 KB)
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.