Students

BIOL349 – Biodiversity and Conservation

2014 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Michelle Leishman
Contact via michelle.leishman@mq.edu.au
Other Staff
Katherine McClellan
Contact via katherine.mcclellan@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
BIOL227(P) and BIOL235(P)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit covers the major themes of biodiversity and conservation: patterns of biodiversity, principles of conservation biology, human impacts, and management principles. Topics include global biodiversity, threatening processes, protected area and off-reserve conservation, habitat fragmentation, restoration ecology, climate change impacts, and management. Much of the focus is on Australian examples. Field and laboratory work are an important component of this unit and are conducted in two compulsory on-campus sessions.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ability to describe the major patterns of biodiversity globally
  • ability to identify key threatening processes that lead to the loss of biodiversity
  • ability to critically evaluate and synthesise diverse information sources on a conservation issue and communicate that understanding using a variety of techniques
  • able to use principles of conservation biology to describe and evaluate conservation management options for a particular case

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Oral seminar 10% 23-24 August
Blog 5% 23 Aug & 1 Sept
Draft recovery plan 20% 15 September
MQ Ecology Reserve PoM 30% 13 October
Participation 5% throughout semester
Final exam 30% Exam period

Oral seminar

Due: 23-24 August
Weighting: 10%

 

You must prepare a 10 minute talk that is a summary and critical appraisal of a journal article chosen from the recent (last 5 years) conservation biology literature. The article you choose should be reporting and interpreting new information, not a review article or opinion piece. Please check your article is suitable with the unit convenor at least one week before the on-campus session. Students will be assessed on the seminar content and presentation quality, and their ability to answer questions. Students will also be assessed on their contribution during question time of the other student talks.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • ability to describe the major patterns of biodiversity globally
  • ability to identify key threatening processes that lead to the loss of biodiversity
  • ability to critically evaluate and synthesise diverse information sources on a conservation issue and communicate that understanding using a variety of techniques

Blog

Due: 23 Aug & 1 Sept
Weighting: 5%

You should prepare a 500 word post about the article you presented for the oral seminar and post it via the iLearn website onto the unit’s ‘The Conservation piece’ blog. Follow the style of websites such as the environmental research briefs of The Conversation (http://theconversation.edu.au/pages/environment) (Due 23rd August).

You should look at the other student’s posts and comment (intelligently and constructively) on at least 3 on the website (Due 1st September)


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • ability to describe the major patterns of biodiversity globally
  • ability to identify key threatening processes that lead to the loss of biodiversity
  • ability to critically evaluate and synthesise diverse information sources on a conservation issue and communicate that understanding using a variety of techniques

Draft recovery plan

Due: 15 September
Weighting: 20%

You will write a draft recovery plan for a species of your choice whose life-history and circumstances interest you. You will first select a species that doesn’t already have a recovery plan. From the literature you will identify the threats challenging this species’ persistence and suggest management strategies necessary to mitigate these threats. Finally, you will suggest performance criteria to measure and evaluate the efficacy of your recommended strategies.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • ability to describe the major patterns of biodiversity globally
  • ability to identify key threatening processes that lead to the loss of biodiversity
  • ability to critically evaluate and synthesise diverse information sources on a conservation issue and communicate that understanding using a variety of techniques
  • able to use principles of conservation biology to describe and evaluate conservation management options for a particular case

MQ Ecology Reserve PoM

Due: 13 October
Weighting: 30%

 

The university is negotiating a Voluntary Conservation Agreement for an area of bushland between Talavera Road and the Lane Cove River. We will assess the area for its biodiversity values, threats including weeds & feral animals, fire management and public access and amenity. All data will be collected, presented and distributed during the second on-campus session (16-18 September). Using these data you will write a Plan of Management for the area. An example PoM will be provided on the iLearn website.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • ability to identify key threatening processes that lead to the loss of biodiversity
  • ability to critically evaluate and synthesise diverse information sources on a conservation issue and communicate that understanding using a variety of techniques
  • able to use principles of conservation biology to describe and evaluate conservation management options for a particular case

Participation

Due: throughout semester
Weighting: 5%

 

You will be assessed for your participation in weekly lectures, ‘The Conservation Piece’ blog, in group fieldwork (contributing to field tasks) and in question time after student seminars and lectures.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • ability to critically evaluate and synthesise diverse information sources on a conservation issue and communicate that understanding using a variety of techniques

Final exam

Due: Exam period
Weighting: 30%

 

The final examination is worth 30% of the unit’s assessment. It will be 3 hours plus 10 min reading time. The examination will consist of a mixture of multiple choice, short answer and essay questions: examples will be provided in Lecture 26. There will be an emphasis placed on integration of material from lectures and practicals rather than on rote learning of facts and figures.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • ability to describe the major patterns of biodiversity globally
  • ability to identify key threatening processes that lead to the loss of biodiversity
  • ability to critically evaluate and synthesise diverse information sources on a conservation issue and communicate that understanding using a variety of techniques
  • able to use principles of conservation biology to describe and evaluate conservation management options for a particular case

Delivery and Resources

 

 

Unit web page

The unit web page can be accessed via the student portal (log in at https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/).  There you will find unit information, resource material, links to interesting websites including career information, ECHO (formerly iLectures), announcements, forum and dialogue facilities, as well as links to Turnitin for submitting assessment tasks. You are encouraged to use the discussion & email facilities for communication among staff and students. Please also check the unit webpage regularly for announcements and additional resource material.

 

 

RECOMMENDED TEXTS

There is no single text that covers the whole unit. Several general texts are recommended and are in the library or available free on-line:

Groom MJ, Meffe GK, Carroll CK. 2005. Principles of Conservation Biology, 3rd edition, Sinauer Associates.

Primack RB. 2010. Essentials of Conservation Biology 5th edition. Sinauer Associates.

Sodhi N and Ehrlich PR. (Eds.). 2010. Conservation Biology for All. Oxford University Press. (Available online at: http://www.mongabay.com/conservation-biology-for-all.html)/conservation-biology-for-all.html)

Lindenmayer D & Burgman M. 2005. Practical Conservation Biology. CSIRO.

Attiwill P. & Wilson B. (2006). Ecology. An Australian Perspective. 2nd edition, Oxford University Press.

 

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

Students are expected to access all unit material through the iLearn unit webpage. Basic multimedia software (eg. Windows Media Player, Quicktime) will be needed to listen to recorded lectures. Students will be required to use internet resources for sourcing information and to use appropriate software, particularly Excel, for data analysis.

 

 

 

Unit Schedule

 

 Lecture schedule

Date

L#

Lecture

Lecturer

30July

1

Introduction

Michelle Leishman

31 July

2

Valuing & measuring biodiversity

Michelle Leishman

6 Aug

3

Global patterns of biodiversity

Michelle Leishman

7 Aug

4

Biodiversity & ecosystem function

Michelle Leishman

13 Aug

5

Loss of biodivesity: extinction

Michelle Leishman

14 Aug

6

The conservationist's toolbox

Michelle Leishman

20 Aug

7

Vulnerability to extinction

Michelle Leishman

21 Aug

8

Human population and habitat loss

Michelle Leishman

27 Aug

9

Habitat fragmentation

Michelle Leishman

28 Aug

10

Climate change

Michelle Leishman

3 Sept

11

Invasive species

Michelle Leishman

4 Sept

12

Invasive plants in Sydney vegetation

Michelle Leishman

10 Sept

13

Over-exploitation, disease & pollution

Michelle Leishman

11 Sept

14

Protected areas

Michelle Leishman

1 Oct

15

Off-reserve conservation

Michelle Leishman

2 Oct

16

Ecological restoration

Michelle Leishman

8 Oct

17

Biodiversity & fire management

Michelle Leishman

9 Oct

18

Species-level conservation

Michelle Leishman

15 Oct

19

Seed banking

Peter Cuneo

16 Oct

20

Introduction to conservation genetics

Richard Frankham

22 Oct

21

Genetic m’ment of small popns

Richard Frankham

23 Oct

22

Captive breeding & re-introduction

Richard Frankham

29 Oct

23

Climate change adaptation & policy

Lesley Hughes

30 Oct

24

Species translocation

Nola Hancock

5 Nov

25

Legislation

Michelle Leishman

6 Nov

26

Wrap-up

Michelle Leishman

 

On-campus sessions

Session 1: 23-24 August

23 Aug AM

Seminars

23 Aug PM

Assessment of threat status

24 Aug AM

Seminars

24 Aug PM

Ecological restoration in practice - LCNP site visit

 

Session 2: 22-24 September

 22 Sept AM

Overview of MQ Nature Reserve with Lane Cove National Park staff

 22 Sept PM

Organise into groups, collate resources, field work

 23 Sept

Group field work

 24 Sept AM

Group field work

 24 Sept PM

Data presentation

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

Lectures

Lectures on theory and principles of conservation biology

Practicals

Practicals include exercises in assessment of threat of extinction, population viability analysis, collecting data for conservation planning and management.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • able to use principles of conservation biology to describe and evaluate conservation management options for a particular case

Assessment tasks

  • Oral seminar
  • Draft recovery plan
  • MQ Ecology Reserve PoM

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • ability to describe the major patterns of biodiversity globally
  • ability to identify key threatening processes that lead to the loss of biodiversity
  • ability to critically evaluate and synthesise diverse information sources on a conservation issue and communicate that understanding using a variety of techniques
  • able to use principles of conservation biology to describe and evaluate conservation management options for a particular case

Assessment tasks

  • Oral seminar
  • Blog
  • Draft recovery plan
  • MQ Ecology Reserve PoM
  • Final exam

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • ability to describe the major patterns of biodiversity globally
  • ability to critically evaluate and synthesise diverse information sources on a conservation issue and communicate that understanding using a variety of techniques
  • able to use principles of conservation biology to describe and evaluate conservation management options for a particular case

Assessment tasks

  • Oral seminar
  • Blog
  • Draft recovery plan
  • MQ Ecology Reserve PoM
  • Final exam

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • ability to critically evaluate and synthesise diverse information sources on a conservation issue and communicate that understanding using a variety of techniques
  • able to use principles of conservation biology to describe and evaluate conservation management options for a particular case

Assessment tasks

  • Draft recovery plan
  • MQ Ecology Reserve PoM

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Assessment tasks

  • Oral seminar
  • Blog

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Assessment tasks

  • Oral seminar
  • Blog
  • Participation

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • ability to describe the major patterns of biodiversity globally

Assessment tasks

  • Draft recovery plan
  • MQ Ecology Reserve PoM
  • Participation

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Assessment tasks

  • Draft recovery plan
  • MQ Ecology Reserve PoM
  • Participation

Changes from Previous Offering

Updated external offering dates

Changes since First Published

Date Description
10/07/2014 external session 2 dates updated
24/06/2014 Assessment dates updated
24/06/2014 Assessment dates changed