Biological Conservation and Biodiversity

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

An understanding of the basic principles of conservation is important in order to address the ecological challenges we face in the 21st century. If the recent pace of pollution and extinction continues, future generations will inherit a degenerate Earth. Humans alone are the main guardians of the natural world and therefore our management strategies for various ecosystems and species are critical. This course will provide an introduction to the basic principles of conservation and biodiversity. The field of conservation biology is interdisciplinary. Protecting our remaining biological diversity will involve all fields of science, from the humanities to natural sciences. This course will explore economics and politics as they relate to conservation, through topics including the red list and interest organizations. Recently extinct animals will also be introduced and discussed in the context of keystone species, as well as other concepts. We will also consider the value wildlife has in different communities, and explore the different levels on which protection of species can take place. Topics will often be examined through local, regional and global perspectives. We will often include Danish cases and compare them with the situation in the US. You will get to know a bit of Danish nature through field excursions. The course is roughly divided into the below modules: Biodiversity and its importance (what is biodiversity? Understanding biodiversity and the status of global biodiversity) Concrete threats to biodiversity Maintaining biodiversity With great power... comes great responsibility....