Conservation Biology

Code:

BIOL3006

Acronym:

BIOL3006

Level:

300

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2016/2017 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://elearning2.fc.up.pt
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Biology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	30	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

To provide theoretical and practical knowledge in Nature Conservation. To promote the acquisition of skills required for the critical analysis and the design of solutions for specific problems on Biological Conservation.

Learning outcomes and competences

After coursing this discipline successfully, the students will be able to analyse real cases involving endangered species/habitats and based on this, they will be able to:

- apply previous knowledge in biology/ecology to identify main factors affecting species and habitats and to conceive new conservation strategies;

- identify main national and European regulations that could support conservation actions;

- identify the need to integrate public participation in conservation actions, as well as the different forms of public participation;

- identify and to recommend the best conservation approaches for each species/habitats;

- identify the different steps in the rehabilitation of a degraded area and corresponding habitats.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Basic knowlegde on ecology and species biology

Program

 

 

Conservation Biology: Object, objectives, main features, contextualization within biological Sciences. Biological Diversity: Concepts and main features.

International Conventions, European and national legislation related with the biological diversity.

The different levels of biodiversity: genetic diversity; species diversity; ecosystems diversity; α-taxonomy; β – taxonomy; habitats taxonomy. Biodiversity and ecosystem functions.

Populations and metapopulations, connections and size of populations. Key species, flagship species, umbrella and bioindicator species. Edge effect. Minimum viable population. Sustainability and ethical issues related with habitat loss.

Biodiversity and the biological processes of extinction. The most endangered species. The Red Book for Portuguese vertebrates, classification and criteria. Exotic species, colonization mechanisms and consequences for the ecosystems. Main exotic species in Portugal. Main procedures for eradication and control.

Methods to study the biological diversity in the context of Conservation Biology. Monitoring biodiversity: principles, scales, indicators and methodologies.

Global changes and biodiversity conservation. Challenges posed by global changes, especially in mountain and coastal regions. Global changes and the effectiveness of networks of protected areas.

Habitats as conservation units. Landscape changes and the conservation of habitats and biodiversity. Land uses and other disturbances. Landscape fragmentation and connectivity. Landscape management for conservation and promotion of habitats and biodiversity.

Conservation and Taxonomy. Classification systems and biological diversity. Understanding and recording biodiversity.

Nature conservation in agri-zones: scientific support, methodologies, examples of agriculture, cattle breeding, forest areas and national agriculture protected area.

Biological support for the establishment of protected areas. Main national and European legal documents related with protected areas.

Restoration and rehabilitation of ecosystems. Main steps in ecological restoration.

Public participation in conservation processes. Citizen science

Conservation of birds and mammals - nalysis of some projects developed in Portugal.

 

 

 

Mandatory literature

Sodhi, N. S. and P. R. Ehrlich (Eds.). ; Conservation Biology for All. , Oxford University Press., 2010
Richard B. Primack; A Primer of Conservation Biology, Fifth Edition, Sinauer, 2012

Complementary Bibliography

Bennett, G.; Linkages in Practice: a Review of Their Conservation Practice., IUCN, Gland, 2008
Biodiversity: resources for environmental literacy, Environmental Literacy Council and National Science Teachers Association, 2007
Cabral M.J. (coord.), J. Almeida, P.R. Almeida, T. Dellinger, N. Ferrand de Almeida, M.E. Oliveira, J.M. Palmeirim, A.I. Queiroz, L. Rogado & M. Santos-Reis ; Livro vermelho dos Vertebrados de Portugal. Peixes Dulciaquícolas e Migradores, Anfíbios, Répteis, Aves e Mamíferos, Instituto da Conservação da Natureza, Lisboa, 2005
CASTRI, F. DI & YOUNES,T.; BIODIVERSITY, SCIENCE AND DEVELOPMENT, CAB/IUBS, 1996
Committee on the Evaluation, Design, and Monitoring of Marine Reserves and Protected Areas in the United States ; MARINE PROTECTED AREAS. TOOLS FOR SUSTAINING OCEAN ECOSYSTEMS, NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS Washington, D.C.
Dobson, A. ; Conservation And Biodiversity, WH Freeman, 1999
Elton, C.; . The ecology of invasions by animals and plants, The University of Chicago Press, 2000
Equipa Atlas ; Atlas das Aves Nidificantes em Portugal (1999-2005). , ICNB, SPEA, PNM, SRAM. Assírio e Alvim, 2008
Farinha, J. e A. Trindade; Contribuição para o inventário e caracterização de Zonas Húmidas em Portugal Continental, ICN, 1994
GEIB ; TOP 20: Las 20 especies exóticas invasoras más dañinas presentes en España, GEIB, Serie Técnica N.2. Pp.: 116, 2006
Leadlay, E. & Jury, S.; Taxonomy and Plant Conservation, Cambridge University Press, 2006. ISBN: 0521607205
Loureiro, A., N. Almeida, M. Carretero e O. Paulo ; Atlas dos Anfíbios e dos Répteis de Portugal, ICN, 2009
Norse E. A. and Crowder, l.B. ; Marine Conservation Biology: the science of maintaining the sea’s biodiversity, Island Press, Washington, 2005
Pearce, D. & Dominic Moran (Eds.) ; The Economic Value of Biodiversity, IUCN, 1994
Perrings, C., Mooney, H. And Williamson, M. ; Bioinvasions and globalization: ecology, economics, management and policy, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2010
Primack, R.B.; Essentials of Conservation Biology, Sinauer Associates , 2002
Ray, G.C. & J. McCormick-Ray ; Coastal-Marine Conservation: Science and Policy, Blackwell Pub., 2004
Sutherland, W.J. and Hill, D.A. (Eds.); Managing Habitats for Conservation, Cambridge University Press, 1995
Sutherland, W.J. ; The conservation Handbook: research, management and policy, Blackwell Science Ltd, Oxford, 2000

Comments from the literature

The students will also receive several complementary bibliography (e.g. recently published papers on the subject), which could be updated each year.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical and practical classes. Students are expected to perform, present and discuss a written work on a topic related with the discipline.

keywords

Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology > Applied ecology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biodiversity > Sustainable exploitation
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Natural resources management > Environmental protection

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	75,00
Trabalho escrito	25,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

Physical presence in 3/4 of the theoretical/practical classes; 

Calculation formula of final grade

Final classification= Exam classification (Max. 15 values) + pratical work (Max. 5 values)

Exam classification= Theoretical (Máx. 12 values) + Practical/theoretical (Max. 3 values).

The classification of the monography includes the written text, the oral presentation and the discussion. Thus, the monography will be classificated with 5 values (maximum).

Examinations or Special Assignments

During the semester students will be involved in practical works, in the TP classes. The practical subjects will be evaluated in the final exam.

Classification improvement

According to FCUP rules, it is only possible for the final exam.

Observations

Students should ask permission to see corrected exams, in the week after  the publication of the classification.