Conservation Biology (KBE 542E)
lecturers: Jana Jersáková, Tomáš Kučera, Martin Konvička
6 credits
Course is running in the summer term in academic years starting with an odd year (e.g. 2019/2020)
Course is ideal for bachelor and master students.
Course objectives: to familiarize the students with basic principles of up-to-date biological approaches applied in nature protection
Course schedule:
14.2. |
1. Conservation biology: interdisciplinary approach, the philosophical background. (MK) |
21.2. |
2. Extinctions: patterns of extinction, rates of extinction, causes of extinction, vulnerability to extinction. (JJ) |
28.2. |
3. Biological diversity: species, genetic, community and ecosystem diversity, measuring biological diversity, distribution of biological diversity. (TK) |
7.3. |
4. Conservation genetics. (JJ) |
14.3. |
5. Conserving species by conserving populations: problems of small populations, loss of genetic variability, effective population size, metapopulations. (MK) |
21.3. |
6. Protected areas: design of protected areas, island biogeography. (TK) |
28.3. |
7. Plant conservation in situ and ex situ, action plans, reintroductions, management. (JJ) |
4.4. |
8. Conservation of small animals in situ and ex situ, action plans, reintroductions, management. (MK) |
11.4. |
9. Conservation of large animals in situ and ex situ, action plans, reintroductions, management. (MK) |
25.4. |
10. Conservation outside protected areas: landscape conservation, urban ecology, global warming. (TK) |
2.5., 9.2. | Presentations of literature projects |
Content of excursions:
1 day - National park Šumava
1 day - Protected Landscape Area Třeboňsko or Blanský les
1 day - ZOO Prague
Evaluation:
-
Literature project: Towards the end of the course there is a presentation of the literature project about some topic in conservation biology selected from proposed topics.
-
Written exam: Quiz composed of 20 questions.
Recommended literature:
Sher A.A., Primack R.B., (2020). An Introduction to Conservation Biology. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, Massachusetts. Library signature: 202091238.
Advanced:
Cardinale B.J., Primack R.B., Murdoch J.D. (2020): Conservation Biology. Sinauer Associates et Oxford University Press, Oxford. Signature: 202091247.