Students

BIOL7610 – Conservation and Management of Wild Populations

2021 – Session 1, Special circumstances

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face-to-face and online 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

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Linda Beaumont
Kate Barry
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
BIOL7610
Unit description Unit description

This unit deals with the theory and practice of the conservation and management of wild populations of animals and plants. Lectures and tutorials concentrate on the application of population biology to problems in wildlife conservation, including demographics, risk assessment, conservation genetics and monitoring protocols. Case studies will be drawn from Australia and the rest of the world.

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: Demonstrate knowledge of the processes influencing the demography and genetic structure of wild populations, and of the theory, principles, and methods of managing wild populations for conservation purposes
  • ULO2: Gather, critically evaluate and synthesise diverse information sources to make an assessment of extinction risk, potential conservation actions, and critical knowledge gaps, for particular species and populations
  • ULO3: Describe methods used to monitor wild populations, including the particular population-level parameters being measured, the potential sampling biases of these methods, ethical considerations, and their application to conservation
  • ULO4: Design a scientific study that implements population monitoring protocols to critically assess a conservation action, or addresses a critical knowledge gap, for a particular species or population
  • ULO5: Review, critically evaluate and synthesise diverse scientific literature in the area of conservation biology and communicate an understanding of this in a written form

General Assessment Information

Academic Honesty – please read, as this is very important

Presenting the work of another person as one’s own is a serious breach of the University’s rules and carries significant penalties. The University’s Academic Honesty Policy can be found at http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

In this unit, we will be checking written work for plagiarism using TURNITIN. Penalties for plagiarism may include a zero mark for the assignment or in more extreme cases, failure of the unit. Plagiarism WILL be noted on your academic record. Full details of penalties can be found at http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/schedule_penalties.html

 

Extensions, penalties and disruptions to studies

Late assignments will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks allocated to the exercise per day. You may hand in your work after the due date and escape penalty only if you have an acceptable reason (usually a medical certificate). Discuss your problem with the Lecturer as early as possible before the due date, however note that all requests for extensions MUST be submitted using the online form: ask.mq.edu.au.

Information about the Disruptions to Studies policy and procedure is online at Policy Central: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/procedure.html.

Information on managing your Disruptions to Studies: http://students.mq.edu.au/student_admin/manage_your_study_program/disruption_to_studies/

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Species Assessment 20% No Week 5, 28 March
Project Outline: Conservation of an Australasian species 20% No Week 8, 2 May
Short Test 20% No 14 March and 11 April
Developing a grant application 40% No Week 13, 6 June

Species Assessment

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 5, 28 March
Weighting: 20%

 

Prepare a concise report on a threatened native Australasian species. The species must be listed on a national list of threatened species (such as the EPBC List of Threatened Fauna) or on the IUCN Red List).

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the processes influencing the demography and genetic structure of wild populations, and of the theory, principles, and methods of managing wild populations for conservation purposes
  • Gather, critically evaluate and synthesise diverse information sources to make an assessment of extinction risk, potential conservation actions, and critical knowledge gaps, for particular species and populations
  • Review, critically evaluate and synthesise diverse scientific literature in the area of conservation biology and communicate an understanding of this in a written form

Project Outline: Conservation of an Australasian species

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 8, 2 May
Weighting: 20%

 

Prepare a concise outline for a project that involves monitoring and/or experimental manipulation of your chosen Australasian species that assesses a conservation action or addresses a critical knowledge gap. This proposal will include a clear research question(s), a description of the data to be collected and a brief description of the experimental or sampling design.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the processes influencing the demography and genetic structure of wild populations, and of the theory, principles, and methods of managing wild populations for conservation purposes
  • Gather, critically evaluate and synthesise diverse information sources to make an assessment of extinction risk, potential conservation actions, and critical knowledge gaps, for particular species and populations
  • Describe methods used to monitor wild populations, including the particular population-level parameters being measured, the potential sampling biases of these methods, ethical considerations, and their application to conservation
  • Design a scientific study that implements population monitoring protocols to critically assess a conservation action, or addresses a critical knowledge gap, for a particular species or population
  • Review, critically evaluate and synthesise diverse scientific literature in the area of conservation biology and communicate an understanding of this in a written form

Short Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 14 March and 11 April
Weighting: 20%

 

There will be several short tests to be completed in your own time. Each test will be based on any lecture or tutorial material given up to that point. The questions may involve interpretation of a graph or some data, or may be numerical.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the processes influencing the demography and genetic structure of wild populations, and of the theory, principles, and methods of managing wild populations for conservation purposes

Developing a grant application

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 29 hours
Due: Week 13, 6 June
Weighting: 40%

 

You will develop a grant application to undertake research on a species or ecological community of conservation interest. The application will include essential background, research question, study design, ethical concerns, appropriate timelines, realistic budget and expected outcomes.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the processes influencing the demography and genetic structure of wild populations, and of the theory, principles, and methods of managing wild populations for conservation purposes
  • Gather, critically evaluate and synthesise diverse information sources to make an assessment of extinction risk, potential conservation actions, and critical knowledge gaps, for particular species and populations
  • Describe methods used to monitor wild populations, including the particular population-level parameters being measured, the potential sampling biases of these methods, ethical considerations, and their application to conservation
  • Design a scientific study that implements population monitoring protocols to critically assess a conservation action, or addresses a critical knowledge gap, for a particular species or population
  • Review, critically evaluate and synthesise diverse scientific literature in the area of conservation biology and communicate an understanding of this in a written 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

This unit is about the conservation and management of species and populations, with an emphasis on the Australasian context. The unit is designed for students in the Master of Research or students undertaking a coursework Master. An undergraduate background in science, with a significant biological - particularly ecological - component, is assumed. It is also assumed that students have a working knowledge of Excel or a related program and a basic understanding of statistics.

Lectures will be pre-recorded, and students are required to listen to them prior to attending the tutorial. There will be no tutorial in the first week, to provide students with sufficient time to listen to the lectures for weeks 1 and 2 prior to the first tutorial, which will be in week 2. Each week, lectures and tutorials will be supplemented with readings or activities to increase the depth of students' learning. As a 10 credit point unit, it is expected that students will spend ~ 10 hours per week (including during the recess) on this unit.

Students are expected to attend the tutorials at the allocated time. 

Unit Schedule

Week

Date (Mondays)

Lecture

Tutorial

Assessments

1

22 Feb

Overview of Australian Biodiversity;

Ethics

No tutorial

 

2

1 Mar

Extinction Events and Conservation Issues

SPRAT and IUCN

 

3

8 Mar

Species Concepts in Conservation;

Conservation of Populations

Exploring Species Distributions

Test 1: 14 March

4

15 Mar

Predation;

Invasive Species

Population Declines

 

5

22 Mar

Designing of Wildlife Experiments;

Monitoring Wildlife Populations

Mark-Recapture data

Species Assess: 28 March

6

29 Mar

Population Dynamics

Life Table Analysis

 

Recess

5 Apr

MID SEMESTER BREAK

 

Test 2: 11 April

Recess

12 Apr

MID SEMESTER BREAK

 

 

7

19 Apr

Risk of Extinction

Population Viability Analysis

 

8

26 Apr

Conservation Genetics;

eDNA

Bioinformatics

Project Outline: 2 May

9

3 May

Conservation Genetics

 

Landscape Genetics

 

10

10 May

Climate Change and Wild Populations; Reintroductions and Translocations

Tutorial

 

11

17 May

Sustainable Harvesting;

Role of Government

Tutorial

 

12

24 May

Indigenous Engagement

 

Tutorial

 

13

31 May

Guests speakers

 

No tutorial

Project Proposal: 6 June

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.

Changes from Previous Offering

The one day, on-campus workshop has been removed. However, if external students require extra assistance, an online version may run.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
04/02/2021 Inadvertent withdrawal
04/02/2021 Removal of one day workshop.

Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook