ECTS credits ECTS credits: 3
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 51 Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 9 Interactive Classroom: 12 Total: 75
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary subject Master’s Degree RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Center Faculty of Biology
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
1. Understand the history of Conservation Science and its context in environmental ethics.
2. To know the scientific evidence on the rarity of species and the loss of biodiversity and to understand the causes that explain such changes.
3. To understand and be able to express the ecological, social and economic impacts of biodiversity loss.
4. To be able to synthesize and expose in public the benefits provided by biodiversity.
5. To know how to apply the principles and tools used to conserve biodiversity at different scales.
6. To develop capacities for critical discussion and evaluation of scientific data related to biodiversity conservation.
Theory/seminar syllabus:
1. The historical and ethical bases of conservation. A brief history of conservationism. Conservation in Spain. Ecology and environmentalism. The scientific method.
2. Biodiversity: much more than genes and species. The concept of biodiversity. Intraspecific (genetic), ecological and landscape diversity. Taxonomic, ethological and functional diversity. Valuation of biodiversity.
3. Causes and consequences of extinction. Rarity of species. Estimation of extinction rates. IUCN Red List criteria. Causes of extinction: habitat destruction, overexploitation, invasive alien species. Population viability analysis.
4. Population management. Management objectives. Importance of genetic variability. Management units. Management of resources and threats. Translocations and captive breeding. The role of zoos and botanical gardens. Ethology and conservation
5. Species management. Conservation Biology as a multidisciplinary science. Social factors. Environmental education. Conservation economics. Policy and conservation. Recovery and management plans for endangered species.
6. Ecosystem management. Sustainability. Ecosystem management. Decision analysis. Modified ecosystems (forestry, agriculture, aquatic ecosystems). Ecosystem restoration.
7. The scientific method in conservation. Principles of experimental design. Manipulative and observational experiments. Statistical paradigms (frequentist, information theory, Bayesian).
Syllabus of other activities (internships, seminars, tutorials, etc.)
Practical part: Research in Conservation Biology. Presentation and justification of a research work applied to a conservation problem
Leopold, Aldo, A sand county almanac (versión española: Una ética de la tierra), Oxford University Press, 1949, Oxford
Hunter, M.L., Fundamentals of Conservation Biology, Blackwell Science, 2002, Oxford
BASICAS y GENERALES
CG02 - Uso de la terminología adecuada para el ámbito de la biodiversidad terrestre
CG03 - Emplear fuentes de información y bases de datos necesarias para contribuir al análisis y generar información específica para el ámbito de la biodiversidad terrestreCG04 - Redactar informes profesionales y publicaciones científicas para el ámbito de la biodiversidad terrestre
CG05- Contribuir al desarrollo del conocimiento en el ámbito de la biodiversidad.
CB2- Que los estudiantes sepan aplicar los conocimientos adquiridos y los puedan transferir a la resolución de problemas en entornos nuevos o poco conocidos dentro de contextos más amplios (o multidisciplinares) relacionados con su área de estudio.
TRANSVERSALES
CT2 - Capacidad para el razonamiento, argumentación y toma de decisiones
CT4 - Capacidad para obtener información adecuada, diversa y actualizada en distintos idiomas
CT6 - Capacidad para resolver problemas mediante la aplicación integrada de los conocimientos.
ESPECÍFICAS
CE5- Conocer y saber aplicar la metodología para el seguimiento de poblaciones naturales y reconocer, si es el caso, el grado de amenaza de una especie, o bien su potencial invasor.
Lectures: teaching procedure by which the teacher presents concepts and/or procedures, providing basic information necessary to understand a theoretical perspective or a practical procedure, promoting student participation.
Practical class: presentation of monographic works on Conservation Biology, based on a review of the scientific literature.
The book "A sand county almanac", by Aldo Leopold (Oxford University Press, 1949), is required reading. A monographic work on this book must be presented, which will be essential for the final evaluation. Spanish version available under the titles "Una ética de la Tierra", Ediciones de la Catarata, and "Un año en Sand County", Errata Naturae editions.
Ponderation %
Individual projects to be delivered 30
Oral exposition of individual projects 35
Monograph about “A Sand County Almanac” 35
Hours On-site presence (%)
Lectures 10 100
Interactive classes 11 100
Tutorials 3 100
Personal studies 51 0
Total hours of work 75