EVPP 505 004 and Biology 518 Conservation Biology Spring 2007

Prerequisites: Ecology (Biol 307) and Genetics (Biol 311) or equivalent.

Instructor: Geoffrey F. Birchard, Associate Professor of Biology

Office: King 3063 Office Hours: R12:30-2:30

Phone: 993-1065 E-Mail: gbirchar@gmu.edu

Course Web Page: http://mason.gmu.edu/~gbirchar/ConBiol/consbiolweb.htm

Text: Principles of Conservation Biology 3rd ed.. By Groom, Meffe, and Carroll. Sinauer Associates, 2006

Lecture Syllabus:

DATE	TOPIC	READINGS
1/22	What is Conservation Biology, Biodiversity	Ch 1, 2
1/29	Where is their Biodiversity and what is its value	Ch 4, 5 Science 314:787- (2006); PNAS 103:13890- (2006)*
2/5	Extinction	Ch 3
2/12	Causes of Extinction - Habitat Modification and Loss	Ch 6, 7, 8 Ann Rev. Ecol. Syst. 37:637- (2006)
2/19	Causes of Extinction- Exotic Species, Disease, Toxics	Ch 10 Cons. Biol 20(5):1349- (2006)*
2/26	Mid-Term Exam
3/5	Management of Small Populations	Ch 12; Biol. Cons. 133:379- (2006);
3/12	Spring Break
3/19	Conservation Genetics	Ch 11
3/26	Conservation Genetics and Captive Management (Zoos and Botanical Gardens)	Trends Ecol. Evol. 19: 613- (2004) Proc. Royal Soc. B 273:1491- (2006)*
4/2	Reproductive Technologies, Reintroduction	Ch 13 Trends Biotech 124:89 (2006)
4/9	Protected Areas - establishment and design	Ch 14 Science 313:1284- (2006)*
4/16	Protected Areas- Continued, Restoration Ecology PAPERS DUE	Ch 15 Science 310:1628- (2006)
4/23	Conservation and Sustainable Development	Ch 16, 17 Biol. Conserv 132: 222- (2006); Nature 441:927(2006)
4/30	Presentations
5/9	Final Exam 7:30-10:15 PM

Articles:

These articles are to supplement your textbook readings. They represent either perspective articles from Science or primary literature. They will be discussed in class. Four of the articles are identified by italics and an * for you to write a one page summary. This summary is to be one page long double spaced. You are to have one inch margins all around and either a 10 or 12 point font. You should not include the reference in the summary. Accessing Articles: Science: Go to GMU libraries home page. Select ejournals. Select Science (high wire press). Select Browse Archives. Select Search. Input volume and given first page and select go. The article reference will come up and then you can select full text and if you will then be given the option of downloading a pdf file of the article.

Other Journals: Go to GMU libraries home page. Select ejournals. Select Science Direct data base. Select journal from list. On journal home page select volume and number as appropriate.

Paper and Presentation: These will be on an endangered or threatened species. The paper should deal with background on the biology of the species, the reasons for its conservation status and present recommendations for a recovery or preservation plan. If a recovery plan exists for the species then this must be evaluated. Specific instructions for the paper and presentation will be given on the course web site. Grading will be 2/3 paper and 1/3 presentation.

Grading: One mid-term examination (25%), Final Examination (30%), Paper and class presentation(30%), and article summaries (10%). Course grades will be assigned using the +/- grading scale. Make-up examinations are not given. Late assignments have maximum point values at 1 day late 90%, 2 days late 75%, 3-4 days late 50%, 5 or more days late 0% of the initial assignments value.