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Syllabus For REN R 364 - Principles of Managing Natural Diversity Instructor:
Dr. Carol Frost (Assistant Professor) E-mail: [email protected] Graduate Teaching Assistants:
Rachel Pizante (H1; Tuesday lab) E-mail: [email protected]
Irene (Pilar) Jimenez Roncancio (H2; Friday lab) E-mail: [email protected]
Office hours for all instructors by appointment. Contact by e-mail to make an appointment.
Class Period (place & time):
Lectures: M-W-F @ 12-12:50AM, some synchronous on Zoom, some asynchronous (see below) Lab: H1 section: Tuesday @ 2:00-3:50 PM on Zoom OR
H2 section: Friday @ 2:00-3:50 PM on Zoom Course Description:
This course is an introduction to the theoretical foundation for conservation science. Elements of population, community and landscape ecology will be reviewed, and their application to real-world challenges discussed. The objective is to provide students with the scientific tools to evaluate and develop conservation strategies for maintaining diversity in human-altered systems. Ethical and philosophical aspects of the sociopolitical arena in which conservation decisions are made and implemented are also explored.
Prerequisites:
BIOL 208 or (BIOL 108 and REN R110) and *60 of university-level coursework. Credit will only be given for both REN R364 and (ENCS 364 or BIOL 367). This course has limited enrolment, with preference given to students in the Conservation Biology major of the ENCS Program.
Course Format:
This course consists of 3 scheduled lectures and 1 lab period per week. This year this course will be delivered online, and not all lecture and lab periods will be used for synchronous meetings. In
approximately one lecture period per week we will meet synchronously on Zoom, but the schedule of the synchronous meetings will change week-to-week. The links for all Zoom meetings will be at the top of the eClass page. In addition to synchronous meetings, there will be recorded lectures to watch, and readings from the textbook and other sources to complete. In some weeks, the class will be split into three groups for discussion, and one group will meet with the instructor in the Monday lecture period, the second group will meet with the instructor in the Wednesday lecture period, and the third group will meet with the instructor in the Friday lecture period, to allow smaller group discussions in which all students will have a chance to participate. Students are expected to attend all of the whole-class synchronous meetings and all their split-class meetings, and participation marks will be associated with all of the synchronous meetings. (See the Appendix to the Syllabus (REN R 364 & 765) for more detail on format and expectations for synchronous meetings, participation marks, and information on session recording and privacy).
This course will involve a lot of reading, and for many of the synchronous lectures, students will be expected to arrive having read a required reading, and/or watched a video or listened to a podcast.
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Alternatively, some of the readings have an associated reading quiz or activity. There are many tasks and dates/deadlines to keep track of in this course, but the eClass page is set up like a weekly calendar, to guide students as to what is due, what synchronous meetings are occurring, and what to work on each week. Students are advised to put all exam dates in their calendars, and at the beginning of every week, to check the eClass page for the current week and the week to come to keep on top of what needs to be completed and submitted.
Labs will include computer labs, solo field trips and data collection (COVID-19 precautions permitting), data analysis, group work, oral presentations, and scientific writing. The lab assignments are designed to be able to be mostly completed during the lab period if time is used wisely, but students are advised to read all the lab materials and watch the recorded pre-lab talk ahead of each lab, in order to be able to start immediately on the activity and assignment during the lab period, while the TA is there to answer any questions. In all synchronous lab meetings, the TA will meet with the class over Zoom. A substantial amount of lab time is also provided for the group project. Students should expect to spend the entire lab period actively working on the assigned task.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course students will be able to:
1. Comprehensively define “biodiversity”, and describe the current global and taxonomic distribution of biodiversity, the value of biodiversity, and understand processes that affect (including threaten)
biodiversity and populations of species
2. Understand current conservation tools, methods, and practices, and articulate pros and cons of these based on ecological and societal considerations
3. Develop scientific research skills, including developing a hypothesis, designing an study, collecting field data, analysing data, and interpreting findings
4. Improve critical thinking and written and oral scientific communication skills Student Learning Outcomes and Competencies:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Define and describe biodiversity and explain its value for ecosystems and humanity from local to global scales
2. Calculate and interpret biodiversity metrics and apply statistical analysis to biodiversity measurement 3. Identify institutions, regulations, policies, and cultural practices that affect biodiversity conservation in Canada
4. Discuss how perspectives of different stakeholders affect biodiversity management, both historically and in the present in Canada
5. Consider Indigenous perspectives on land, natural diversity, and management of natural diversity 6. Explain the basis for (and limitations to) estimates of number of species on the planet and past and current extinction rates
7. List the main threats to biodiversity globally, describe their relative importance in different places and situations, and describe mechanisms by which they affect biodiversity
8. Apply basic concepts from population, community, and landscape ecology to specific conservation problems
9. Explain and give examples of species-focused and ecosystem-focused conservation tools and strategies 10. Discuss pros and cons of different conservation strategies, both in Canada and internationally,
relating arguments both to ecological concepts and societal values
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11. Understand the process and value of structured decision-making in managing natural diversity Learning Outcomes and Competencies for the Lab Component:
By the end of the course students will be able to:
1. Load data into R and carry out simple data manipulation and calculations and produce figures 2. Develop scientific hypotheses and predictions and distinguish the two
3. Test hypotheses by designing a study and collecting field data 4. Conduct a rigorous bird biodiversity survey in the field
5. Organise field data, complete statistical analyses of these data in R, correctly interpret and draw inferences from the data
6. Orally communicate the hypotheses, methods, results, and interpretation of the results of a scientific study in a clear and professional manner
7. Prepare a professionally written report, in the format of a scientific journal article that presents:
background information, hypotheses, methods, the results of data collection and analyses designed to test those hypotheses, and relevant discussion
8. Constructively critique the written work of peers References and Readings:
Required readings will be listed on eClass well in advance of the lecture to which they pertain. These will primarily include chapters from the course textbook, but will also include other book chapters, reports, and articles. Other required references will include videos and podcasts. Recommended readings will sometimes also be posted.
Distinction Between Required and Recommended Readings:
Required readings (and videos/podcasts) will all have some form of assessment associated with them.
They will also contain material which will not be presented in the lectures, but which will be examinable on the exams. As such, it will be very difficult to do well in this course without completing the required readings. Reading Focus Questions will be provided to help students to focus on the concepts in the readings that are important for this course.
Recommended readings are optional, and are meant to support the lectures that they are associated with, in case students are interested in further reading. However, all material from these readings that will be assessed in this course (either throughout the term or in the final exam) will also be presented in lecture. Therefore, students are advised to prioritize the required readings, and only complete the recommended reading as time permits.
Course Text Book:
Schneider, R.R. (2019) Biodiversity Conservation in Canada From Theory to Practice. Friesens Press.
Edmonton, AB, Canada. 364 pg.
Almost this entire textbook will be required reading (with the exception of Chapter 5 and some smaller sections). This text can be purchased from the University of Alberta Bookstore.
Useful Reference for R (Lab Component; recommended, not required):
Crawley, M.J. (2013) The R Book. Second Edition. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Chichester, West Sussex, UK. This text is available from the library as an eBook, here: https://search.library.ualberta.ca/catalog/8667156
4 Expected Schedule (subject to change):
Wk Mo. Days Lecture topics Lab
1 Jan 11-15 Intro & Describing Biodiversity No lab first week of class 2 Jan 18-22 Scientific Study of Biodiversity Intro to project and R
3 Jan 25-29 Value of Biodiversity Graphics in R
4 Feb 1-5 MEA and IPBES Status of Global Biodiversity
Reports Species diversity analysis in R
5 Feb 8-12 Midterm 1; Biodiversity Loss & Extinction Statistics in R 6 Feb 15-19 Reading Week: No Classes No Labs 7 Feb 22-26 Threats to Biodiversity: Habitat Loss,
Climate Change, Nutrient Pollution, Overharvesting
Bird survey field trip
8 Mar 1-5 Threats to Biodiversity Continued Project data collection (No lab) 9 Mar 8-12 Midterm 2; Invasive Species Data analysis for project (Lab) 10 Mar 15-19 Species-Level Conservation Tools Group Presentations
11 Mar 22-26 Ex-Situ Conservation, Conservation Genetics Feedback on written draft (Lab)
12 Mar 29-31 Conserving Ecosystem Function, Ecosystem- Level Conservation
Good Friday: No Labs 13 Apr 6-9 Protected Areas, Biodiversity Conservation
in Agricultural Landscapes
Population viability analysis in R
14 Apr 12-16 Ecosystem Restoration, Structured Decision Making, Global Conservation Priorities
Film & Reflection Apr 23 Final exam at 9:00 AM – On eClass
Course Grading Scheme: (Unshaded rows pertain to the lecture; shaded rows pertain to the lab.)
Component % of Grade
Lecture Midterm 1 7
Lecture Midterm 2 7
Participation in
Synchronous Lectures 6 Reading
Quizzes/Activities (5) 5
Lab Assignments 15
Lab Group Project 30
Lecture Final exam 30
TOTAL 100
Breakdown of points:
1. Lecture Assessments (25%): Two midterms, each worth 7%, participation in synchronous lectures/discussions (6%), five short quizzes or activities based on synthesis of material from the required readings/videos (5%).
2. Lab Assignments (15%): Individually submitted lab assignments and participation grades
3. Lab Group Project (30%): An original research project completed as a group, but your grade will reflect both the quality of the project as well as your individual contribution, as assessed by your group members and instructors.
4. Final exam (30%): Cumulative; multiple choice, short answer, and long answer. Friday, April 23, 9 am, through eClass.
Course Website: is on eClass: https://eclass.srv.ualberta.ca
5 Contribution to Group Project in the Lab
The group project in the lab makes up 30% of the course grade. Students must aim to contribute substantially, putting in the same effort as all group members to this project. Student grades on this project will reflect individual work put in, as well as the group’s grade on the project. After submission of the final report, all students will fill out a self- and group member-evaluation form, explaining everyone’s contributions to all parts of the group project. The instructor will then adjust grades accordingly for each group member, if necessary, to reflect each person’s contribution to the deliverables. Throughout this project, good communication with group members will be important. Students are encouraged to strive to resolve any issues that arise by talking with their group members. However, the TA is also there to help if an issue seems unresolvable.
Exam Format:
Both of the midterm exams and the final exam will be open-book and written through eClass. However, the exams will be time-limited, and will cover a lot of material, so students will have to study the course materials ahead of time to do well on the exams. All exams may have any of multiple choice, short answer, and long answer questions, and midterms may have only one or two of these question types.
More information will be provided about each exam in advance of the exam date.
Exam Dates:
Midterm 1 (Covering Unit 1; 7% of grade): Monday, February 9, 12-12:50 on eClass
Midterm 2 (Covering only Unit 2; 7% of grade): Wednesday, March 10, 12-12:50 on eClass Final Exam (Cumulative; 30% of grade): Friday, April 23, 9 AM on eClass
Final Grades:
Students’ grades on each component of the course will be weighted and then combined to calculate a final % grade. This % grade will be converted to a letter grade which reflects the student’s level of achievement with respect to the course learning outcomes as described above. Grade distribution will not be based on a curve. An overall course mark of 50% or more guarantees a passing grade of at least D while an overall course mark of 90% or more guarantees a grade of at least A. Grades are unofficial until approved by the Department.
Questions About Marking:
For reconsideration of marks (except for errors in counts or calculations, which should be dealt with immediately on the day that assignments are returned), students must submit the assignment for re- grading within 4 days of its return, together with a written statement explaining why the mark should be adjusted. The mark may be adjusted upward or downward as a result of re-grading. The instructor will provide a written response.
Term Work Submission, Due Dates, and eClass:
Students who have conflicts with an assignment must communicate with the instructor of the lecture or the lab (as relevant) as early as possible about their conflict. Instructions for all assignments in this course will be posted on eClass for students to download, and all assignments will be submitted through eClass.
You are expected to be proficient at assignment submission through eClass, so please take great care to ensure that you submit the correct assignment, and double check that it has actually been
submitted. Avoid waiting until the last minute to submit, to avoid any technical problems that may result in late submission. If eClass is malfunctioning at the time that you are trying to submit an assignment,
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send it to your instructor through email as an attachment so that you do not miss the submission deadline. Problems with eClass will not be considered a valid reason for a late or missed assignment.
Laboratory Assessment Dates and Assignment Due Dates:
(Laboratory assessment includes all laboratory assignments and participation grades, for a total of 45% of the total course grade.)
Assessment (% of
course grade)
Date for H1 (Tuesday Lab) Date for H2 (Friday Lab)
Lab 2 due 2% Mon Feb 1, 11:59 pm Thurs Feb 4, 11:59 pm
Lab 3 due 3% Mon Feb 8, 11:59 pm Thurs Feb 11, 11:59 pm
Lab 4 due 3% Mon Feb 22, 11:59 pm Thurs Feb 25, 11:59 pm
Lab 5 participation grade (Solo field trip; subject to change)
2% Tues Feb 23 (Lab period) Fri Feb 26 (Lab period)
Group presentation in lab 9% Tues Mar 16 (Lab period) Fri Mar 19 (Lab period) First draft of written project
complete
2% Mon Mar 22, 11:59 pm Thurs Mar 25, 11:59 pm Feedback on peer written
project 4% Thurs Mar 25, 11:59 pm Sun Mar 28, 11:59 pm
Final written project due 15% Thurs Apr 1, 11:59 pm Sun Apr 4, 11:59 pm
Lab 10 due 3% Mon Apr 12, 11:59 pm Thurs Apr 15, 11:59 pm
Lab 11 due 2% Thurs Apr 15, 11:59 pm Sun Apr 18, 11:59 pm
Relationship to REN R 765:
Graduate students enrolled in REN R 765 will participate in all of the activities of REN R 364, with the exception of the group project in the lab, but with higher expectations for workload, learning outcomes, and academic performance. Students in REN R 765 will write a different exam, some assignments will be different or will be graded using a different rubric. Details can be found in the syllabus for REN R 765.
Technology:
Please see the U. of A. guidelines for technology for remote learning:
https://www.ualberta.ca/information-services-and-technology/services/software-hardware-
vendors/technology-requirements.html. You will be expected to be able to watch video, participate with audio and at times video in Zoom meetings, and install and run R and RStudio on your computer.
Electronic Devices:
Cell phones and all other electronic communication devices are prohibited during exams. Use of
electronic devices during class or lab time must not interfere with the teaching and learning of others. All devices must be on silent mode when your microphone is on.
Missed Exams and Assignments:
A student who cannot write a midterm exam or who cannot complete an assignment by the due
date/time because of an incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction or other compelling reason can apply for deferral. Applications for deferral must be made in writing to the instructor, with supporting documentation, within 48 hours of the time of the exam/assignment due date. If deferral is approved the
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student will be given the opportunity to take the exam on a later date, or will be granted an extension for submission of the assignment or, at the discretion of the instructor, the weight for the exam or
assignment may be transferred to the final exam. The exact timing of these is at the instructor’s discretion.
Instructors can neither give permission to a student to miss the final exam nor grant a request for a deferred final exam. Students are encouraged to check exam schedules prior to making travel or event plans. The decision to grant a deferred final exam can only be granted by the Faculty of ALES Student Services Office. Acceptable reasons for an excused absence may include illness or bereavement.
Weddings, travel arrangements or vacation are not acceptable reasons. The University policy on deferred exams can be found in Section 23.3.2 of the University Calendar. It includes specific instructions on how to obtain a deferral.
Due dates and times for assignments are as described in this syllabus (for midterms, lab assignments, and the final), and on the eClass page for the other lecture assessments. Late assignments will be penalized 10% for every 24 hours (or part thereof) that it is late (e.g. a “perfect” paper received 5 days late would receive a grade of 50%). Assignments are considered handed in when they are uploaded to eClass or received by email.
Plagiarism and Cheating:
The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty.
Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.governance.ualberta.ca) and avoid any behaviour that could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
Code of Student Behaviour:
All students at the University of Alberta are subject to the Code of Student Behaviour, as outlined at:
University Governance > Code of Student Behaviour. Please familiarize yourself with it and ensure that you do not participate in any inappropriate behavior as defined by the Code. Key components of the code include the following statements.
“30.3.2(1) No Student shall submit the words, ideas, images or data of another person as the Student’s own in any academic writing, essay, thesis, project, assignment, presentation or poster in a course or program of study.
30.3.2(2)c. No Student shall represent another’s substantial editorial or compositional assistance on an assignment as the Student’s own work.”
Students should speak with the course instructor about any questions or concerns about the code.
Students should be particularly aware of the code as it pertains to internet and library research, use of previous class notes, and interviews or discussions with others.
Professionalism and Classroom Rules of Engagement:
Students are expected to be present, engaged and courteous in all synchronous course activities, and to use integrity in all course work and the final exam. It is important that all persons present in the class and
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lab feel safe and supported by their peers during all activities. Feedback to instructors and peers is welcome, but must be delivered in a polite and constructive manner. Classes and labs will start and end on time. Latecomers must enter without disrupting the class. Disruptive behaviour during lecture presentations will not be tolerated. Disruptive students will be given one warning and, upon a second offense, will be asked to leave the meeting. Disruptive behaviour prevents other students from making the most of their classroom opportunities. Please be courteous to your fellow students and your instructors. We will expect you to contribute to class discussions from time to time.
In this course, we are lucky that we will have several guest presenters. It is important that all guest presenters are made to feel welcome and appreciated, since they are giving up their time to contribute to our class.
*Note that professionalism is expected of students in this course. Students who purposefully engage in unprofessional behaviour may expect to have up to 5% of their final grade for the course deducted (and will be notified as to the reason why).
Copyright Statement:
All original course materials prepared by the instructor are considered to be the intellectual property of the instructor (unless otherwise noted), and are protected by law under Canada’s Copyright Act. “Course materials” include lecture videos, slides, presentations, handouts, lecture notes, and any other materials distributed or made available to students by the course instructor. Permission is given for individual students to use these materials for their own study purposes in this course. Students must not publish, post on a public Internet site, sell, rent, or otherwise distribute any course materials without the instructor’s express permission.
Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching
environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or
distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).
Access to Past (or Representative) Evaluative Material:
A past (or representative) final exam will be posted on eClass, in the last few weeks of the course.
Policy about course outlines can be found in Course Requirements, Evaluation Procedures and Grading of the University Calendar.
