Students
BIOL8870 – Regional and Global Conservation
2020 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Robert Harcourt
Jessica Boomer
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| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(BIOL8750 or BIOL875) or GSE804 or ENV808 or (ENVS8308 or ENVS808) or (admission to MMarScMgt or MConsBiol or GradDipConsBiol or GradCertConsBiol or MSc or MScInnovationBioConsMgmt or BBioConsMConsBiol)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit deals with the problem of conserving biodiversity as a whole rather than concentrating on individual species or populations. The unit is applied and multidisciplinary, drawing on such areas as ecology, evolutionary biology, biogeography, and informatics. We will explore the concept of biodiversity in both the scientific and legislative arenas. The problem of measuring biodiversity is considered in detail, including the conceptual and practical impediments to measurement. Current and emerging threats to biodiversity are reviewed on a global scale, along with the practical and ethical arguments for conservation. Tutorials and assessments are focussed on analysing and interpreting patterns in biodiversity in space and time as a means of informing conservation decisions.
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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:
- ULO1: Explain the principles and methods used by Conservation Biology to quantify and value biodiversity at local to global scales.
- ULO2: Elucidate the patterns, mechanisms and consequences of biodiversity and biodiversity loss.
- ULO3: Integrate observed spatial pattern of biodiversity with other sources of spatial information in order to identify and prioritise areas requiring biodiversity monitoring and/or conservation action.
- ULO4: Compile, analyze and interpret biodiversity patterns in a conservation context.
- ULO5: Communicate Conservation Biology issues to diverse audiences in written and oral form.
- ULO6: Critically evaluate and synthesize scientific literature on topics of interest in Conservation Biology and make recommendations on locations requiring conservation action based on sound scientific evidence.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online tests | 15% | No | Tuesday of weeks 4, 8 and 12. |
| Conservation talk | 25% | No | 6 October 2020 |
| Conservation Abstract | 20% | No | 11 Sep 2020 |
| Conservation plan | 40% | No | 6 Nov 2020 |
Online tests
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: Tuesday of weeks 4, 8 and 12.
Weighting: 15%
There will be a total of 3 online tests to be completed in your own time. Each test will consist of a single short-answer question and will be based on any lecture, tutorial or assigned reading given up to that point. Marks and feedback will become available after the test has been closed.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the principles and methods used by Conservation Biology to quantify and value biodiversity at local to global scales.
- Elucidate the patterns, mechanisms and consequences of biodiversity and biodiversity loss.
- Integrate observed spatial pattern of biodiversity with other sources of spatial information in order to identify and prioritise areas requiring biodiversity monitoring and/or conservation action.
- Compile, analyze and interpret biodiversity patterns in a conservation context.
- Communicate Conservation Biology issues to diverse audiences in written and oral form.
Conservation talk
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 6 October 2020
Weighting: 25%
You will be tasked with formulating a smart conservation problem based on a real world example of conservation biology. You will be provided with a published peer reviewed paper which describes fundamental conservation knowledge. You will use this paper to present on: 1) the key aspects of what is known about the conservation issue, 2) formulate and present on key aspects of the conservation problem, 3) describe a hypothetical solution to the problem. Internals will deliver a presentation during tutorials. External students will submit a recording of your presentation. The assignment of the peer reviewed paper and discussion of the key aspects of proper problem formulation will occur in a tutorial.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the principles and methods used by Conservation Biology to quantify and value biodiversity at local to global scales.
- Elucidate the patterns, mechanisms and consequences of biodiversity and biodiversity loss.
- Integrate observed spatial pattern of biodiversity with other sources of spatial information in order to identify and prioritise areas requiring biodiversity monitoring and/or conservation action.
- Communicate Conservation Biology issues to diverse audiences in written and oral form.
- Critically evaluate and synthesize scientific literature on topics of interest in Conservation Biology and make recommendations on locations requiring conservation action based on sound scientific evidence.
Conservation Abstract
Assessment Type 1: Summary
Indicative Time on Task 2: 9 hours
Due: 11 Sep 2020
Weighting: 20%
You will be tasked with formulating a smart conservation problem based on a real world example of conservation biology. You will be provided with a published peer reviewed paper which describes fundamental conservation knowledge. You will use this paper to present on: 1) the key aspects of what is known about the conservation issue, 2) formulate and present on key aspects of the conservation problem, 3) describe a hypothetical solution to the problem. The assignment of the peer reviewed paper and discussion of the key aspects of proper problem formulation will occur in a tutorial. In this first part you will write an abstract and design an infographic
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the principles and methods used by Conservation Biology to quantify and value biodiversity at local to global scales.
- Integrate observed spatial pattern of biodiversity with other sources of spatial information in order to identify and prioritise areas requiring biodiversity monitoring and/or conservation action.
- Critically evaluate and synthesize scientific literature on topics of interest in Conservation Biology and make recommendations on locations requiring conservation action based on sound scientific evidence.
Conservation plan
Assessment Type 1: Quantitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 6 Nov 2020
Weighting: 40%
You will prepare a conservation plan for Tasmania. We will use existing data on ecosystems (from NVIS) and species distributions (from SPRAT database) to determine conservation priorities fora region of Australia using systematic conservation planning tools. Analyses for this assignment will be conducted during tutorials. Students can collaborate on making a conservation plan but write and submit their assignments individually. The plan is expected to be well illustrated with maps and graphs, and have an extensive bibliography
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the principles and methods used by Conservation Biology to quantify and value biodiversity at local to global scales.
- Elucidate the patterns, mechanisms and consequences of biodiversity and biodiversity loss.
- Integrate observed spatial pattern of biodiversity with other sources of spatial information in order to identify and prioritise areas requiring biodiversity monitoring and/or conservation action.
- Compile, analyze and interpret biodiversity patterns in a conservation context.
- Communicate Conservation Biology issues to diverse audiences in written and oral form.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Lectures
Lectures will be pre-recorded and made available online each week under the week sections below. Each week the lecture will become available at 1100 on Tuesday. There will be a Discussion board for the lecture (also located in the section for that week below) in which you may post queries and we will answer them that week.
Tutorials
Tutorial material will be available each week in the section below corresponding to that week.
Face to Face - Tutorials run from 2-4 pm on Tuesdays in 03IR G220 Faculty PC Lab
Online - An online tutorial will run through Zoom from 11 am to 1pm on Thursdays.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.