BIOL 422

Conservation Biology

3.00 units · Undergraduate

Winter 2026

Topics

Listed material: There is one required textbook:
Listed material: Sher, A.A. An Introduction to Conservation Biology, 3rd edition. Oxford University Press.
Listed material: The text is available as a softcover text from the bookstore () or an e-text using this link: https://campusebookstore.com/link/?id=ad570335-106b-4135-b891-de79518e5e01 () Other assigned readings will be posted on OnQ.

Winter 2024

Learning Objectives
critical assessment of conservation issues and solutions, (iii) hands-on experience in addressing a
conservation issue, (iv) experience presenting and discussing conservation problems, (v)
foundations of Conservation Biology, major threats to biodiversity, approaches to solving
B. Think critically and creatively about conservation problems and solutions, recognizing
(1) Importance of biodiversity: What Conservation Biology is
history and perspectives
what biodiversity is
global distribution of biodiversity
ecological, economic and intrinsic
(2) Threats to biodiversity: Habitat degradation, loss and fragmentation
overexploitation
(3) Mitigating threats to biodiversity: Population viability
population reintroductions
Climate change

Winter 2023

Fall 2019

(1) Foundations of Conservation Biology: What is Conservation Biology? History and Perspectives
What is Biodiversity?, Patterns of Biodiversity, Causes of Variation in Biodiversity, Natural
History and Conservation, What is the Value of Biodiversity? A Human Values Perspective, What
(2) Threats to Biodiversity: Habitat Degradation, Loss, and Fragmentation, Overexploitation
(3) Solving Conservation Problems: Conservation Genetics, Species & Landscape Solutions, An
Ecosystem Approach to Conservation, Designing and Managing Protected Areas, Restoration
Ecology, Sustainable Development, with additional case studies in conservation
Climate change

Fall 2018

(1) Foundations of Conservation Biology: What is Conservation Biology? History and Perspectives
What is Biodiversity?, Patterns of Biodiversity, Causes of Variation in Biodiversity, Natural
History and Conservation, What is the Value of Biodiversity? A Human Values Perspective, What
(2) Threats to Biodiversity: Habitat Degradation, Loss, and Fragmentation, Overexploitation
(3) Solving Conservation Problems: Conservation Genetics, Species & Landscape Solutions, An
Ecosystem Approach to Conservation, Designing and Managing Protected Areas, Restoration
Ecology, Sustainable Development, with additional case studies in conservation
Climate change

Winter 2017

(1) Foundations of Conservation Biology: What is Conservation Biology? History and Perspectives
What is Biodiversity?, Patterns of Biodiversity, Causes of Variation in Biodiversity, Natural
History and Conservation, What is the Value of Biodiversity? A Human Values Perspective, What
(2) Threats to Biodiversity: Habitat Degradation, Loss, and Fragmentation, Overexploitation
(3) Solving Conservation Problems: Conservation Genetics, Species & Landscape Solutions, An
Ecosystem Approach to Conservation, Designing and Managing Protected Areas, Restoration
Ecology, Sustainable Development, with additional case studies in conservation
Climate change

2015-2016

(1) Foundations of Conservation Biology: What is Conservation Biology? History and Perspectives
What is Biodiversity?, Patterns of Biodiversity, Causes of Variation in Biodiversity, Natural
History and Conservation, What is the Value of Biodiversity? A Human Values Perspective, What
(2) Threats to Biodiversity: Habitat Degradation, Loss, and Fragmentation, Overexploitation
(3) Solving Conservation Problems: Conservation Genetics, Conservation Physiology, Species &
Landscape Solutions, An Ecosystem Approach to Conservation, Designing and Managing
Protected Areas, Restoration Ecology, Sustainable Development, with additional case studies in
Climate change

2015-2016

(1) Foundations of Conservation Biology: What is Conservation Biology? History and Perspectives
What is Biodiversity?, Patterns of Biodiversity, Causes of Variation in Biodiversity, Natural
History and Conservation, What is the Value of Biodiversity? A Human Values Perspective, What
(2) Threats to Biodiversity: Habitat Degradation, Loss, and Fragmentation, Overexploitation
(3) Solving Conservation Problems: Conservation Genetics, Conservation Physiology, Species &
Landscape Solutions, An Ecosystem Approach to Conservation, Designing and Managing
Protected Areas, Restoration Ecology, Sustainable Development, with additional case studies in
Climate change

2014-2015

(1) Foundations of Conservation Biology: What is Conservation Biology? History and Perspectives, What is
(2) Threats to Biodiversity: Habitat Degradation, Loss, and Fragmentation, Overexploitation, Invasive Species
(3) Solving Conservation Problems: Conservation Genetics, Conservation Physiology, Species & Landscape
Solutions, An Ecosystem Approach to Conservation, Designing and Managing Protected Areas, Restoration
Ecology, Sustainable Development, with additional case studies in conservation (e.g., Dusky Seaside
Climate change

2013-2014

management and conservation, conservation planning, reserves, restoration programs, managing risk
threats to biodiversity, life histories and ecology, endemism, overview of genetic processes in conservation
Training

Sources