BIOSCI 394 : Terrestrial Ecology and Conservation
Science
2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course spans both theoretical and applied terrestrial ecology, emphasising that theory underpins conservation management. The course explores the front lines of experimental and theoretical population and community ecology, focusing on the interactions and environmental forces controlling the distribution, diversity and abundance of terrestrial populations of plants and animals. We explore conservation in relation to theoretical ecology, management, social science, economics and Te Ao Māori. Throughout the course, international and New Zealand examples are used to explore the fundamental processes shaping ecological systems and illustrate the practical realities of applying ecological knowledge to conservation problems.
The course has a focus on skill development for careers in ecology. Students should be prepared to participate in discussions and activities during the lectures. We have two one-day field trips in which we undertake fieldwork to 1) test theoretical hypotheses as researchers, and 2) conduct an ecological site assessment for a forest reserve, in the same way ecological consultancies might undertake such a survey. We also undertake a population viability modelling lab to understand the application of theoretical population biology in a simulation of how managers assess risk to threatened species.
This course is an excellent basis for progressing into the MSc in Ecology, MSc in Biological Sciences, and in particular, MSc in Biosecurity & Conservation https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/study-options/find-a-study-option/biosecurity-conservation/postgraduate.html
Postgraduates students completing this programme have been employed in a range of jobs in Dept. of Conservation, regional councils, museums, MPI, research institutes, ecological consultancies, or have progressed further into PhDs.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 2: | Sustainability |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Explain how biotic and abiotic factors drive the distribution, diversity and abundance of terrestrial populations of plants and animals, and how ecosystems function at range of scales. (Capability 3, 4 and 6)
- Explain how theoretical ecological knowledge can be applied to conservation problems, and how disciplines other than ecology are critical for solving these problems. (Capability 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7)
- Develop and demonstrate skills in framing ecologically relevant questions and hypotheses and explain how these skills can be applied to conservation problems. (Capability 4 and 5)
- Critically evaluate evaluate primary ecological literature and assess the robustness of information from non-peer reviewed sources. (Capability 3, 4 and 8)
- Working effectively in a team in a team apply scientific methods to a research question in the field: develop research skills, including the ability to collect, synthesise and interpret data using numeracy skills. (Capability 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7)
- Communicate ecological concepts and ideas clearly and logically using language and formats appropriate for a scientific audience. (Capability 3, 6 and 8)
- Develop and communicate data and evidenced-based conservation management recommendations to stakeholders, taking into account cultural and social values and community context. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
- Develop an understanding of compliance and health and safety issues, conservation ethics, and critically self-assess both academic performance and integrity. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical research field report | 25% | Individual Coursework |
| Research proposal seminar & compliance forms | 20% | Group Coursework |
| Population Viability Analysis lab report | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Ecological site assessment report | 25% | Individual Coursework |
| Lecture Quizzes | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| 5 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |||
| Theoretical research field report | ||||||||||
| Research proposal seminar & compliance forms | ||||||||||
| Population Viability Analysis lab report | ||||||||||
| Ecological site assessment report | ||||||||||
| Lecture Quizzes | ||||||||||
Tuākana
Tuākana Science is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials,
one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/pacific-in-our-faculty.html
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-in-our-faculty.html
Key Topics
Special Requirements
- Students will be expected to participate in two, one-day field trips (approx. 830am-430pm) to reserves in the Auckland region. This is essential to being able to write the reports for assessment. Transport (bus) will be provided - for those with medical/accessibility requirements for self-driving, please contact the course coordinator to discuss options as parking is limited.
- Port-a-loo toilets are available at the fieldsite, but there are no shops so students must bring their lunch and adequate water.
- Fieldwork involves approximately 6 hours of outdoor research recording a number of ecological variables within forest. Fairly minimal walking is required (~1km) but the ground is uneven and could be slippery. This fieldtrip CANNOT be made suitable for wheelchairs – please discuss any accessibility issues with the course coordinator Margaret Stanley (mc.stanley@auckland.ac.nz), we are able to adjust for student needs.
- Some gear can be borrowed from the department (e.g. raincoats and gumboots) and accompanying persons and service/guide dogs may be able to attend – please contact course coordinator Margaret Stanley (mc.stanley@auckland.ac.nz) for more information about these or to discuss other access requirements.
Workload Expectations
This course is designed so that a minimum (for a pass) of 150 hours should be spent on this course by students.
Contact hours (56):
- 35 lectures/tutorials
- 16 hours field trip (2x 1 day) + 3 hour PVA lab
- 4h group oral presentations
Highly recommended (for assessment support) but optional (12):
- 4h drop-in lab for statistical analysis
- 8h group discussions (drop-in rather than entire time)
Non-contact hours: We expect you to spend reasonable amounts of time on internal coursework, ie. to make up to 150 hours on the course (these estimates include library/reading time).
Coursework (82):
- Theoretical research field report = 20
- Research proposal seminar & compliance forms = 15
- Population Viability Analysis lab report =10
- Ecological site assessment report = 20
The remainder of the time should be spent reading and preparing for lecture quizzes.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is required in the lab and field to be able to complete the assessment for the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings but in-class activities to reinforce learning take place in lectures and may not be captured by the recording. Other learning activities including labs, fieldtrips, group discussions will not be available as recordings.
Please contact the coordinator Margaret Stanley (mc.stanley@auckland.ac.nz) if you have queries about attendance or wish to discuss accessibility issues.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Student Feedback
During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.
At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.
Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Copyright
The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.
You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.