Courses & Units

Biodiversity Conservation KPZ308

Introduction

This unit is about the application of biological principles and ecological science to the problems of conserving the diversity of animals and plants in ecosystems undergoing rapid change. You will gain an understanding of: current threats to biodiversity; tools and strategies to prevent declines and extinctions of species in the wild and maintain functioning ecosystems; current trends and controversies in biodiversity conservation; impacts of global climate change; restoration of species and ecological processes to degraded landscapes. Practical work will give you experience and knowledge of vegetation restoration, use of models in management of threatened species, landscape change caused by fire, and management of invasive species in island ecosystems. Assignments will develop your abilities in critical writing, public speaking, use of computer simulations, and interpretation of field-collected data.

Summary

Unit name Biodiversity Conservation
Unit code KPZ308
Credit points 12.5
College/School College of Sciences and Engineering
School of Natural Sciences
Discipline Biological Sciences
Coordinator Professor Barry Brook
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Advanced

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Hobart Semester 2 On-Campus International Domestic

Key

On-campus
Off-Campus
International students
Domestic students

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 2 11/7/2022 9/8/2022 29/8/2022 16/10/2022

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2022 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2022 will be available from the 1st October 2021. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • demonstrate a broad understanding of the application of fundamental principles from population and community ecology, genetics and ecosystem science to the conservation of biodiversity.
  • critically evaluate uncertainty and controversy in the development of strategies for species conservation
  • communicate effectively in the form of written reports and spoken presentations
  • demonstrate knowledge, through understanding of theory and case studies, of the requirements for success in effective species conservation.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
050999 $1,002.00 $1,002.00 not applicable $2,783.00

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Admission into a Masters course OR KPZ211 Population and Community Ecology

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

2 x 1-hour lectures, 1 x 3-hour practical per week. 

AssessmentEcological Restoration presentation (20%)|Population Viability Analysis (10%)|Fire Risk practical report (10%)|Conservation Success Case Study Essay (20%)|Final Examination (40%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Sodhi, N. S. & Ehrlich, P. R. (2010) Conservation Biology for All. Oxford University Press
[PDF available as free download at: http://conbio.org/publications/free-textbook/]

LinksBooktopia textbook finder

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