Conservation and Management of Biodiversity

Recommended Prerequisites

Knowledge of English, Matemathics, Ecology of Populations and Communities and Statistics.

Teaching Methods

The theoretical classes will be given in power-point presentations and will be conducted to stimulate discussion about the several aspects of biodiversity Several scientific articles will be given and the students must discuss them critically in the class

Practical classes will include the use of Generalized Linear Models, and the students will present their results orally in the class

The field trip will demonstrate how to capture and collect biological samples from live vertebrates for scientific purposes. The use of these techniques in nature conservation will be discussed      

Learning Outcomes

This subject addresses the compositional and functional aspects of biodiversity. It examines applied conservation at the population/species level, with particular relevance to aspects of habitat selection, trophic networks and reserve management in assessing and maintaining biodiversity. Students will examine case studies, articles and will discuss and perform data analysis to demonstrate the effectiveness and usefulness of studies on habitat selection, before proposing measures for the conservation of species and ecosystems. Management plans for conservation of species and habitats will be elaborated and presented. The importance of ecological indicators in assessing the state of biodiversity and its management will be addressed

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Evaluation of biodiversity status

 - How to measure biodiversity (compositional, structural and functional aspects). Threats to biodiversity: analysis and discussion of articles.

 - Analysis and discussion of papers about the state of biodiversity. The importance of bio-indicators to monitor biodiversity. Analysis of practical cases.

 

2. Habitat selection

- Habitat selection studies: Techniques to collect and analyze data. The importance of spatial scale in studies of habitat selection.

- Analysis of data to demonstrate the selection of habitat.

- Analysis of data using appropriate software: conventional statistical methods and generalized linear models. - Practical measures to be drawn from studies of habitat selection in terms of nature conservation.

 

3. Biodiversity Management in practice

- Preparation of management plans for species and habitats.

- Case studies on management plans. Preparation and critical presentation of management plans.

Head Lecturer(s)

Jaime Albino Ramos

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 40.0%
Project: 60.0%

Bibliography

Duelli, P & M. K. Obrist 2003. Biodiversity indicators: the choice of values and measures. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 98: 87-98.

 

Groom, M. J., G. K. Meffe 6 C. R. Carroll. 2006. Principles of Conservation Biology. third edition. Sinauer associates, Sunderland.

 

Hill, D. M. Fasham, G. Tucker, M. Shewry e P. Shaw. 2005. Handbook of biodiversity methods: survey, evaluation and monitoring. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

 

Hosmer, D. W. & S. Lemeshow (2000). Applied Logistic Regression. John Wiley & Sons, New York.

 

Markert, B. A., A. M. Breure & H. G. Zechmeister. 2003. Bioindicators and biomonitors. Elsevier, Berlim.

 

Reiss, J.,  J. R. Bridle, J. M. Montoya & G. Woodward. 2009. Emerging horizons in biodiversity and

ecosystem functioning research. Trends in ecology and evolution 24: 505-514

 

 Em cada ano serão fornecidos artigos recentes, bem como legislação sobre planos de acção e convenções internacionais sobre a conservação da biodiversidade