Biodiversity Conservation

The course focuses on the basic concepts of biodiversity, spatial distribution, biodiversity value, causes of extinction, anthropogenic impact to biodiversity, biodiversity research methods, basic methods of biodiversity protection, the importance of monitoring and basic species restoration measures.

To gain the knowledge about biodiversity and its protection to reduce the negative impact of anthropogenic activity on it.

Basic Ecology

What is conservation biology? Conservation biology link with other disciplines. Ethical principles of conservation biology. The origins of conservation biology. What is biodiversity? Species diversity. The origin new species. Measuring species diversity. Genetic diversity. Ecosystem diversity. Succession. Species interaction. Keystone species and resources. Ecosystem dynamics. Patterns in biodiversity. Factors determinant biodiversity distribution. Existent species number and evaluation. Recently discovered communities.. Value of biodiversity. Economic valuation of biodiversity. Direct use values. Indirect use value. Ethical values.. Threats to biological diversity. Extinction. Extinction rates and determined factors. Vulnerability to extinction. Endemic species and extinction. Species vulnerable to extinction. Conservation categories. Anthropogenic impact to biodiversity. Habitat destruction. Habitat fragmentation. Global climate change. Changes in climate. Effects of global warming on species distribution, phenology, population size and changes in communities’ structure. Changes in aquatic environments. Overexploitation. Invasive species. Disease. Conservation at the population and species levels. Essentials concepts of small populations. Variation in demography. Environmental variation. Applied population biology. Methods for studying populations. Population viability analysis. Metapopulations. Long-term monitoring of species and ecosystems. Ex situ conservation. Zoo and botanical gardens. Seed banks. Establishing protected areas. Classification of protected areas and networks. Existing protected areas. Creating new protected area. Restoration ecology. Restoration technique. Restoration of communities. Case studies.

1. Explained main biodiversity concepts. 2. Described patterns of biodiversity. 3. Defined value of biodiversity. 4. Characterized causes of biodiversity extinctions, their extent. 5. Described changes in environment and biodiversity under direct and indirect threats. 6. Applied biodiversity methods and assessed level of biodiversity according to diversity criteria. 7. Grounded main biodiversity conservation strategies. 8. Described significance of species and ecosystem monitoring and main means for species restoration.