Updated Syllabus, with links to
readings other than text
Conservation
Biology (ECOL 406R/506R)
aka GEOS 406R/506R, RNR
406R/506R, fall 2005
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Last Updated 07 December 2005
Check back often for changes to readings and schedules…
Date
Topic (Reading; please complete before class)
Aug 23
Introductions and photos
Syllabus, philosophy, and context
Bill Calder Memorium
(Ecological footprint:
MEC in Canada,
or Redefining Progress)
(Optional, more in-depth excel-based footprint calculator)
Lecture 1, or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
Aug 25
What is conservation biology?
(Van Dyke CH1; Noss 1999)
(optional: Meffe and Carroll 1997, Chap 1 [Part 1,
Part 2])
Lecture 2, or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
Aug 30
Conservation Ethics and Rationale
(Noss 1999)
(Van Dyke CH3; Callicott, Chap 2 of Meffe and Carroll 1997
[Part 1, Part 2])
[assign role playing roles]
Lecture 3, or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
Sep 01
Conservation Ethics and Rationale
(Van Dyke CH3; Leopold readings...)
Required:
Leopold writing about Arizona
Leopold writing about his Land Ethic
Leopold writing about Health of the Land and Wildlife
Recommended (better yet buy these books for yourself and read them cover to cover!):
Leopold writing about Wisconsin
Leopold writing about Chihuahua and Sonora
Leopold writing about being your own Emperor
References:
Leopold, A. 1966 (1949). A Sand County Almanac with Essays on Conservation from Round River. Oxford Univ. Press.
Leopold, A. 1999. For the Health of the Land: Previously Unpublished Essays and Other Writings. Island Press.
Lecture 4, or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
Sep 06
Biodiversity
(VanDyke CH4)
(Costanza et al. 1997, Nature)
(optional: Driessen 2004, DDT, Malaria, EcoImperialism)
Reference cited in lecture: Miller, G. Tyler Jr. 2004.
Sustaining the Earth, 6th Edition. Brooks-Cole-Thomson Learning, Pacific Grove, CA.
Sep 08
Role
playing exercise (Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan)
Powerpoint files and PDF files of in-class presentations (in your write-up on this exercise, please focus first on the presentation given in class.
If you go back and critique the powerpoint slides keep in mind that your responses are helpful, but would not have been feasible without access to the files.)
Pima Co. Panel, or as PDF
Developers, or as PDF
Ranchers, or as PDF
Center for Biological Diversity, or as PDF
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or as PDF
Miners, or as PDF
Students will represent various interests and debate merits of proposals.
Afterward, students will write up very short summary identifying which groups did well, and why, which groups did poorly, and why,
and what information was lacking to make informed decisions.
PLEASE READ: Role Playing Assignment Document (with links and background information)
Endangered Species Act
National Environmental Policy Act:
NEPA document,
NEPA information,
NEPA and EIS
Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan
Please meet with your group in order to divide work, come up with a proposal, and practice your short powerpoint presentation.
The links and references we have provided are just a start; your group will have to seek out other background material and data to support your position.
Polished, organized, and professional presentations will be more succesful than unplanned and unorganized rambling.
Sep 13
History of conservation biology/Legislation
(Van Dyke CH2)
Paul and Sherry
Barrett (guest speakers; USFWS)
Paul Barrett's slides, or as
6 slides/page (pdf)
Sherry Barrett's handout (pdf)
Sep 15
David Hall
(guest speaker; desert aquatic populations [turtles, frogs, fish] and their
conservation)
Hall's 2 slides
Sep 20
Biodiversity
Lecture 9, or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
(VanDyke CH4)
Exam 1 (through ~20 Sept. over CH1-4 and associated readings)
Sep 27
Paradigms and Theories
Lecture 11, or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
Sep29
Conservation Genetics
Lecture 12 (Kanab Amber Snails), or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
(Van Dyke CH6)
Hans-Werner
Herrmann (guest speaker;
Oct 04
Conservation Genetics
Lecture 13, or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
(Van Dyke CH6)
Oct 06
Biodiversity/Genetic Diversity
(Van Dyke CH4, CH6)
Optional:
Friar et al. 2001 (incl. Robichaux, re: silverswords)
Rob
Robichaux (guest speaker; Hawaiian
Silversword Alliance)
Oct 11
Populations
Lecture 15, or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
(Van Dyke CH7)
Optional:
Culver et al. 2000 (about pumas)
Optional: Loew et al. 2002 chapter from Quantitative Methods for Conservation Biology, Fergurson and Bergman, eds.
Oct 13
Invasive Species
Lecture 16, or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
National Geographic Invasives Article, 2005,
(Van Dyke CH7)
Kathy Gerst
(guest speaker; invasive riparian
plants)
Oct 18
Population Viability Analysis, Minimum Viable
Population Size
Lecture 17, or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
(Van Dyke CH7)
Optional Readings:
PVA intro by Gilpin
PVA Panther Example Chapter: Part I,
Part II,
Part III
Pister Pupfish Recollections
Habitat and Reserve Design
(Van Dyke CH8)
Bill Mannan (guest speaker)
Lecture 18, or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
Oct 25
Global Climate Change
Lecture 19, or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
Oct 27
Nov 01
Conservation Practices (Aquatic)
Lecture 21, or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
(Van Dyke CH9)
[assign role playing roles]
506R
topic and annotated refs due
Nov 03
(Van Dyke CH7,8,10)
(SDCP writeup by Chuck Huckelberry in the Endangered Species Bulletin)
(Pima County SDCP website)
Steidl's Lecture 2005, or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
Steidl's Lecture 2004 (pdf)
Bob Steidl (guest speaker, how the scientists came up with the
proposed plan)
Nov 08
Conservation Practices
Lecture 22, or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
(Van Dyke CH10)
Nov 10
Nov 15
Student-led
debate about conservation
biology and restoration ecology
GROUPS:
1. What Environmental Crisis?
Bjorn Lomborg (author of The Skeptical Environmentalist[2001])
Check out his website,
and the first chapter of his book
2. Malthusian Crises of Epic Proportions:
Paul Ehrlich (author of The Population Bomb [1968])
Check out his Stanford website
Daily and Ehrlich 1992, BioScience
Die Off
Review of Betrayal of Science and Reason 1996
Very negative review of Betrayal of Science and Reason
3. Reconciliation Ecology:
Michael Rosenzweig (author of Win-Win Ecology)
Rosenzweig Website
Win-Win Page,
Win-Win Chapter 6
Potential Roles of Reconciliation Ecology
Rosenzweig 2001 PNAS
Another potential reference: Rosenzweig. 2003. Reconciliation ecology and the future of species diversity. Oryx 37(2):194-205.
4. Deep Ecology (Arne Naess), Biocentrism:
Interview with Arne Naess
Arne Naess website
Deep Ecology
Deep Ecology Perspectives
A Taste of Green Web Writings and Left Biocentrism
5. ~EcoTerrorism Links for even another perspective:
EcoDefense: A Field Guide to Monkey Wrenching
Interview with Dave Foreman by Derrick Jensen
Earth Liberation Front
Nov 22
Professional Panel
(Van Dyke CH13)
Shifting Baselines, Conservation Practices
(Van Dyke CH10)
Exhibit
criteria due.
Dec 01
EXHIBIT (Public) - art/literature project due today, peer grading
PHOTOS 2005, or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
Dec 06
Last Lecture
Wrap-Up, Economics, Course evaluations
Lecture 29, or as 6 slides/page (pdf files)
(Van Dyke CH12)
506R
Written Research Project due
Dec 13
(Tuesday) Cumulative Final
Exam: 1100-1300h (30 Class meetings)
2005, A few remaining review questions
RETURN TO ECOL 406/506, 2005 HOMEPAGE