Conservation Biology

Course Type	Course Code	No. Of Credits
Foundation Elective	SHE2ED329	4

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Conservation of biological diversity is critical to maintaining the future of life on our planet. In this epoch of sixth mass extinction loss of life forms also indicate irreversible loss of genetic material, ecosystem services and loss of natural resources. Links of biological diversity are very intricately connected to the fundamental spheres of human life such as social and mental well-being, aesthetic factors, spiritual implications, economic indicators and ethical considerations. This means that conservation of biological diversity is essential for the existence of all life forms including that of humankind.

The course will begin with giving an understanding of the biological diversity, its distribution on earth, patterns of biodiversity gradient and the underlying mechanisms. This will be followed by the discussion on various threats to biological diversity, underlying processes for biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation as well as its consequences for ecosystem function. Species extinction will be analyzed to understand the variation in extinction rates across species and regions, reasons for extinction across regions and species. The essentials of conservation planning and design as currently practiced based on ecological principles will then be studied. Rehabilitation of degraded habitats, reintroduction and translocation biology and the related debates will also be covered.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

To understand current debates and strategies in the area of conservation biology and articulate the role of science in conservation.
To understand the ecological process shaping earth’s biodiversity and the underlying factors for its decline and conventional as well as new strategies of conservation such as rewilding, reintroduction and restoration.
To understand and appreciate the importance of spatial and temporal scale while investigating the differences in biodiversity and its related properties
To understand India’s conservation dilemma’s, its protected area network and major conservation projects would increase their employability in conservation organization.

COURSE CONTENT

S. No.	Module
	Underlying process structuring biodiversity
	Causes of Biodiversity Loss
	Patterns of Extinction
	Consequences of Extinction
	Conservation of Species and Populations
	Conserving Communities/Ecosystem through Protected Areas
	Protected Area Network of India
	Case studies of Conservation from India
	Historic Range of Variability for Biodiversity Conservation
	Rewilding, Reintroduction and Restoration
	Conservation of Biodiversity outside Protected Areas
	Urban landscapes as venues for biodiversity conservation

INDICATIVE READING LIST:

Aronson, M. F., Lepczyk, C. A., Evans, K. L., Goddard, M. A., Lerman, S. B., MacIvor, J. S., . . . Vargo, T. (2017). Biodiversity in the city: key challenges for urban green space management. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 15(4), 189-196.
Bhagwat, S. A., Willis, K. J., Birks, H. J. B., & Whittaker, R. J. (2008). Agroforestry: a refuge for tropical biodiversity? Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 23(5), 261-267.
Brook, B. W., Sodhi, N. S., & Ng, P. K. (2003). Catastrophic extinctions follow deforestation in Singapore. Nature, 424(6947), 420.
Bruner, A. G., Gullison, R. E., Rice, R. E., & Da Fonseca, G. A. (2001). Effectiveness of parks in protecting tropical biodiversity. Science, 291(5501), 125-128.
Caro, T. M., & O’doherty, G. (1999). On the use of surrogate species in conservation biology. Conservation Biology, 13(4), 805-814.
Chapin Iii, F. S., Zavaleta, E. S., Eviner, V. T., Naylor, R. L., Vitousek, P. M., Reynolds, H. L., . . . Hobbie, S. E. (2000). Consequences of changing biodiversity. Nature, 405(6783), 234.
Corlett, R. T. (2016). Restoration, reintroduction, and rewilding in a changing world. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 31(6), 453-462.
Dıaz, S., Fargione, J., Chapin III, F. S., & Tilman, D. (2006). Biodiversity loss threatens human well-being. PLoS Biology, 4(8), e277.
Gaston, K. J. (2000). Global patterns in biodiversity. Nature, 405(6783), 220.
Gippoliti, S., & Carpaneto, G. M. (1997). Captive breeding, zoos, and good sense. Conservation Biology, 11(3), 806-807.
Johnsingh, A. J. T., & Goyal, S. P. (2005). Tiger conservation in India: The past, present and the future. Indian Forester, 131(10), 1279-1296.
Myers, N., Mittermeier, R. A., Mittermeier, C. G., Da Fonseca, G. A., & Kent, J. (2000). Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature, 403(6772), 853.
Nogue´s-Bravo, D., Simberloff, D., Rahbek, C., & Sanders, N. J. (2016). Rewilding is the new Pandora’s box in conservation. Current Biology, 26(3), R87-R91.
Pounds, J. A., Bustamante, M. R., Coloma, L. A., Consuegra, J. A., Fogden, M. P., Foster, P. N., . . . Puschendorf, R. (2006). Widespread amphibian extinctions from epidemic disease driven by global warming. Nature, 439(7073), 161.
Shaffer, M. L. (1981). Minimum Population Sizes for Species Conservation. BioScience, 131- 134.
Tinker, D. B., Romme, W. H., & Despain, D. G. (2003). Historic range of variability in land- scape structure in subalpine forests of the Greater Yellowstone Area, USA. Landscape Ecology, 18(4), 427.