Tag(s)
[BSc] S, GC
Admission Requirements
None.
Description
The Biodiversity and Society course will provide knowledge and insights in the ecological, cultural and economic backgrounds of conservation biology. The key questions are related to the question: why should we conserve nature and biodiversity? The subjects to be covered are principles, values and ethics of nature and biodiversity conservation, conservation policy, co-management, ecological economics and economic valuation of nature. To this end a selection of highly qualified researchers from different research groups and civil society will give a contribution to the course. Most contributions will be interactive of nature. So students should be keen on participation in discussions etc.
Course Objectives
After completion of the course students will be able to:
think holistically about nature and biodiversity conservation
qualify and quantify factors that impact on nature and biodiversity
identify best strategies towards management of nature and biodiversity
make and present a poster for raising awareness on nature and biodiversity issues
After completion of the course students will know:
the characteristics of biodiversity and related ecological concepts
the economic valuation of nature and biodiversity
the societal mechanisms and processes that have an impact on biodiversity and nature
examples of on- the–ground approaches towards management and conservation of nature and biodiversity
(inter-)national policy strategies and approaches to control the societal impact on nature and biodiversity
Mode of Instruction
Each week of the course a specific biodiversity-and-nature theme will be addressed, so 6 themes in total. The theme of the week is covered in the two-hour plenary lectures on Tuesday and addressed again, but in a different form (student presentation, video presentation, critical review and debate, poster assignment preparation, etc.) during the two-hour seminar sessions on Thursday.
The themes that have been selected for the Biodiversity & Society course (but some may still be subject to change depending on availability of lecturers) include 1) introduction to biodiversity and ecosystems, 2) nature conservation in temperate and tropical areas, 3) ethics of conservation, 4) economic valuation of biodiversity, 5) biodiversity and civilization, and 6) biodiversity and indigenous people
The seminars are composed of different activities in alternating plenary and group work sessions related to the weekly themes. Activities during bi-weekly seminars include:
construction of a wiki page on nature and biodiversity conservation
oral presentation of the Wiki page
preparing critical questions and discussion points, news items related to the chapters of the book to be studied
Assessment
To be confirmed in course syllabus:
Oral presentation of maximum of 20 minutes (group): 20%
Assignment on Wiki pages (group): 40%
Open-book exam (individual assessment): 40%
Literature
Navjot S. Sodhi and Paul R. Ehrlich 2010. Conservation biology for all . Oxford University Press. Freely available on internet: http://www.mongabay.com/conservation-biology-for-all.html
Other recommended literature:
Richard B Primack 2010. Essentials of conservation biology. 5th Edition. More info see: http://www.sinauer.com/detail.php?id=6403
Martha J Groom, Gary K Meffe and C Ronald Carroll 2006. Principles of conservation biology. More info see: http://www.sinauer.com/detail.php?id=5970
Contact Information
Dr. Wil Tamis
tamis@cml.leidenuniv.nl
Weekly Overview
Week 1: Introduction to biodiversity and ecosystem services
Week 2: Nature Conservation in temperate areas
Week 3: Nature Conservation in tropical areas
Week 4: Ethics of conservation
Week 5: Economic valuation of biodiversity
Week 6: Biodiversity and civilization/ or indigenous people
Week 7: Reading week and exam
Preparation for first session
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