Biodiversity Conservation unit (KPZ308)

Hobart

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	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

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 2	06/07/2026	28/07/2026	31/08/2026	25/10/2026

* 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 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Discuss the requirements for success in effective species conservation by integrating theory and case studies.
• Diagnose and solve biodiversity problems by applying fundamental principles from population and community ecology, genetics and ecosystem science.
• Evaluate the causes of uncertainty and controversy in the development of strategies for species conservation.
• Communicate a conservation problem to scientific peers and relevant stakeholders.

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	$1,192.00	$1,192.00	not applicable	$3,575.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

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 UniConnect 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

KPZ211 Population and Community Ecology

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Weekly: Core content consists of 3 x 15 min pre-recorded videos with accompanying lecture notes (available on MyLO), essential readings (1-hour of material), extended reading (optional for knowledge expansion), 1 x lectorial (1-hour live presentation) and 1 x 3-hour practical per week. Semester: There are two keynotes (first and last week) of 1 hour each.
Assessment	Ecological Restoration presentation (25%)|Fire Risk practical report (25%)|Human activity and biological invasions (25%)|Population Viability Analysis (25%)
Timetable	View 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/]
Recommended	These are provided in the weekly modules in the Content section of MyLO. They vary from year to year, ensuring that the content remains current. Typically these are scientific papers or reports that are relevant to the material being taught.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.