SUBJECT

Title

Conservation biology

Type of instruction

lecture

Level

master

Part of degree program
Credits

3

Recommended in

Semesters 1-3

Typically offered in

Autumn/Spring semester

Course description
  1. What is conservation biology?
  2. Biodiversity: concept, definition, measurement and global distribution
  3. Valuing biodiversity: ecological economics, ethical considerations
  4. Extinction, and vulnerability to extinction
  5. Habitat destruction, fragmentation, degradation and over-exploitation of populations
  6. The problem of invasive non-indigenous species
  7. Problems of small populations, applied population biology
  8. Establishing new populations and ex situ conservation
  9. Designing and establishing protected areas
  10. Managing protected areas
  11. The role of not protected areas in biodiversity conservation
  12. Habitat restoration and ecosystem management
  13. Economic and legal tools for biodiversity conservation at the local and national levels
  14. Nature conservation initiative in the European Union
  15. International agreements to protect species and habitats
Readings
  • Primack, R.B. (2014) Essentials of Conservation Biology (6th ed.). Sinauer Associates, Inc. Publishers,
  • Sunderland, MA, 603 p., ISBN: 978-1-60535-289-3
  • Sutherland, W.J. (2000) The Conservation Handbook: Research, Management and Policy. Blackwell Science, Oxford, 296 p., ISBN: 978-0-632-05344-5
  • Sodhi, N. D. & Ehrlich, P. R. (eds.) 2010. Conservation Biology for All. Oxford Universiy Press, Oxford, 360 p., ISBN: 9780199554249