THE BIOLOGY OF CONSERVATION AND EXTINCTION

BSCI 363/CONS 670—Spring Semester, 2001

Instructor: Dr. David Inouye

Instructor: Dr. Manuel Morales

Teaching Assistant: Tashi Wangchuk

                    Office Hours: BP 1204U; 12-1 on Mondays; e-mail: tashi_wangchuk@yahoo.com

Grading Procedures:

Your final grade in this course will be based on one midterm examination (25%, on March 14), one term paper (30%, final version due in class on May 4), a comprehensive final examination (30%, on May 21), short projects and class participation (15%). Fair game for examinations includes material presented in lectures, class discussions and assigned readings.

We will follow University policy regarding academic dishonesty. Violations of the policy may result in your failing the class with an indication of failure due to academic dishonesty noted on your transcript. See the Spring schedule of classes if you are not familiar with the policy.

Text:

The required text for BSCI 363 is Essential of Conservation Biology, R.B. Primack, Sinauer Associates, Second Edition, 1998. Reading assignments will be announced in class and posted on the class web page.

The required text for CONS 670 is Principles of Conservation Biology, G.K. Meffe and C.R. Carroll, Sinauer Associates, Second Edition, 1997. Reading assignments will be announced in class and posted on the class web page.

Class Web Page Address: www.life.umd.edu/classroom/bsci363

Course Outline:

I. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY: PHILOSOPHY AND DEFINITIONS

1. History and Philosophy of Conservation Biology
2. Why Do We Need Conservation Biology?

II. EXTINCTIONS PAST AND PRESENT

1. Early Mass Extinctions
2. Blitzkrieg in the Pleistocene
3. Recent Extinctions

III. BIOLOGY OF SMALL POPULATIONS

1. Population Dynamics of Small Populations
• Population Growth and Density-Dependence
• The Allee Effect
• Demography and Life Tables
• Spatial Ecology (Immigration, Emigration, Metapopulations)
2. Genetics
   • Effective Population Size (N_e)
   • Heterozygosity and Allelic Diversity
   • Inbreeding and Outbreeding Depression
   • Bottleneck and Founder Effects
   • The Impact of Mating Systems on N_e
   • Gene Flow
3. Population Viability Assessment
   • Examples
   • Term Paper Requirements

IV. THE ECOLOGY OF CONSERVATION AND EXTINCTION

1. Species Interactions (Competition, Predation, Mutualism)
2. Community Ecology
   • Keystone Species, Invasive Species, Indirect Effects
   • Biodiversity and Stability
3. Ecosystem Ecology
   • Ecosystems of Special Concern (Marine and Tropical)
   • Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity
4. Fragmentation and Conservation
   • Island Biogeography
   • Consequences of Fragmentation
   • Habitat Reserve Design

V. STRATEGIES FOR CONSERVATIONISTS

1. Conservation Priorities
   • Species or Ecosystems (GAP analysis and the Everglades)
   • Indicators, Keystones, Flagships, Piggy-Backing (Wildlands Project)
   • Endemic and Rare Species (US FWS)
   • Mega-Diversity Regions (Hotspots)
2. Conservation of Genetic Resources
   • Genetic Management for Small Populations
   • Importance of Genetic Resources
3. Decision Making Under Uncertainty
4. The Multidisciplinary Approach
   • Golden Lion Tamarins

VI. MAJOR THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY

1. Population Pressure, Urbanization and Energy Use
2. Deforestation
3. Global Warming and the Ozone Layer
4. Pollution and Pesticides
5. Acid Rain
6. Malthusian Theory

VII. ECONOMICS AND POLITICS

1. Global Distribution of Resources
2. The Real Price of a Species
3. Endangered Species Act
4. Role of Big Banks in Conservation
5. Sustainable Development - Does it Work?
   • Chesapeake Bay
   • Tropical Forests
6. Who is Doing Conservation?
   • GO's and NGO's
   • Graduate Programs

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