REG-32806 Wildlife Resource Management

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

PEN-10503 Ecology I; PEN-20503 Ecology II; REG-20306 Resource Ecology; REG-20803 Applied Animal Ecology.

Continuation courses:

Thesis Resource Ecology.

Contents:

Within a learning-by-doing context this course focuses on solving problems in the fields of wildlife management and conservation biology. The problem-based learning approach is based on the idea that it is an effective and durable way to develop into a professional. A set of quantitative exercises and literature review assignments is offered that addresses problems spanning a wide range of conservation issues: genetic analysis, population biology, the public policy process, and ecosystem/landscape management. The exercises contain a discussion section where the results of the exercises and assignments have to be viewed in a broader ecological and socio-economic perspective, including using relevant scientific literature. Furthermore, students will work in groups on case studies which comprise a detailed analysis of complex problems related to wildlife management. Topics are generally taken from the human-wildlife dimension and a frequent question is how wildlife can be best conserved in the context of the use it or lose it principle.
Although the course has a strong social dimension, we apply different quantitative analyses using various software packages, so a basic level of quantitative skills and a working knowledge of excel are required.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of the course students are expected to be able to:
- outline and interpret the theoretical framework underlying wildlife management issues;
- analyse complex wildlife management problems using the scientific literature and the societal context;
- explain some of the techniques relevant for the management of wildlife populations;
- evaluate various wildlife utilization systems in terms of their contribution to wildlife conservation;
- present the results in an understandable way for both managers and policy makers.

Activities:

- the students will work alone or in pairs on the assignments;
- oral presentations on the assignments will be given followed by group discussions;
- reports have to be made of 2 longer case studies for which students work in groups of 4.

Examination:

- written test on all covered material, 10 open questions (50%);
- written report on case studies (group work) (50%).

Literature:

Literature consists of a reader that can be purchased and scientific papers that will be provided.