Admission requirements
You must be an MSc student.
Exchange students who wish to take this course must have a BSc Biology or equivalent degree.
Description
According to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) and the Global IPBES assessment (2019), the global loss of biodiversity is predominantly driven by five causes, all related to human activities: Habitat change, Climate change, Invasive species, Overexploitation and Pollution. After a general introduction on the current state of biodiversity, we will address theory, research methods and ways towards recovery for these five causes of biodiversity loss during the first three weeks of the course. The first week will focus on the theoretical background how these five causes affect biodiversity directly and indirectly. During the second week, we will present and discuss case studies and laboratory/model-based research related to these five causes to introduce a variety of biodiversity research approaches. This week includes also an excursion to restoration efforts. The third week will focus on introducing mitigation and restoration approaches, how can we bend the curve of biodiversity loss. Since all human activities are embedded in social-economic systems; discussing them will include some social-economic aspects. However, the focus will largely be on the ecological and physiological mechanisms involved.
Throughout the course, we will employ a variety of teaching methods, including classical lectures, excursions, workshops, serious games, and plenty of time for work on the course assignments in groups. During the last course week, time is scheduled for the finalization of the main assignment, the assignment presentations and the preparation for the exam. This course includes three assignments and a final exam. The first assignment is an individual reflection on an assigned serious game to deepen the understanding of the interplay between evolution, selection and diversity. The second assignment is a group assignment in which real-world biodiversity data is analysed using suitable statistical approaches, and the results presented in a simple manner to a broad audience. There will be a preparatory data-analysis workshop in the second week of the course. The third assignment of the course involves writing in groups an NWO-style research proposal for a PhD study focused on one of the five causes of biodiversity loss in a selected ecosystem. The proposal should have a strong background embedded in ecological research theory (week 1) and should combine laboratory and/or field research (weeks 2 and 3, respectively) including a robust, statistically sound set-up. This proposal will be presented in groups to the class during the course's last week. Finally, the course will close with a written, open book exam.
Course objectives
After completion of the course, students can:
Identify the key concepts and processes related to the 5 major human impacts on biodiversity (overexploitation, climate change, land use change, pollution and invasive species).
Explain the ecological key concepts and processes related to the 5 major human impacts on biodiversity.
Analyse existing biodiversity data in a comprehensive way and present results to a broader audience.
Identify and report new research directions related to human impacts on biodiversity.
Propose a combination of laboratory and field-based research to answer proposed research questions.
Develop a scientifically sound and statistically adequate research plan to test novel hypotheses through lab and field research.
Present the key concepts and methods of a research proposal to a broad audience.
Collaboratively write and present a research proposal.
Schedule
The timetables are available through MyTimetable (see the button in the upper right corner). See Brightspace for a detailed schedule.
Teaching method
The course makes use of (interactive) lectures, workshops, serious games, individual and group assignments, peer-review, assigned readings, presentations, excursion, and working groups.
Assesment method
Alltogether; the below assignments are used to evaluate the knowledge and knowledge integration skills of the students.
The assignments:
individual reflection (individual, pass/fail)
statistical analyses and presentation of biodiversity data (in groups, 15% of the grade)
written research proposal and a presentation thereof (in groups, 35% of the grade)
final exam (individual, open book, 50% of the grade)
The final mark for the course is established by (i) determination of the weighted average of the partial grades combined with (ii) a minimum assessment of 5.5 for each partial grade.
Resit, review & feedback
A resit of the written exam is offered once in the same academic year, the date will be communicated at the start of the course. All assignment results will be accompanied with feedback.
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest.
Reading list
The course manual and all mandatory literature will be made available on Brightspace at the start of the course.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap (button in upper right corner) is mandatory. General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Contact
Dr. Alena Gsell a.s.gsell@cml.leidenuniv.nl
Dr. Emily Strange e.f.strange@cml.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
This course is a prime opportunity to learn about the causes of biodiversity loss and a knowledge base for restoring natural environments and ecosystem services.
In the afternoons (with few exceptions), the human impacts on biodiversity and related topics are discussed based on presentations by internal and external experts, and selected literature. The mornings and Mondays are generally scheduled for working on assignments or preparing for the exam. There will be an excursion to ongoing restoration efforts, likely during the second week of the course. A combination of different educational techniques will be used.
Software
The Faculty of Science uses the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.