OEKB301336 Conservation biology

Type
Lecture
Semester hours
1
Lecturer (assistant)
Klein, Charel
Organisation
Wildlife Biology and Game Management
Offered in
Wintersemester 2026/27
Languages of instruction
Deutsch
Content

**Note: Course title is in English, but the language of instruction is German**

The course introduces key concepts of conservation biology and links ecological and evolutionary foundations with current challenges in biodiversity conservation.
Topics include:
- levels, dimensions and values of biological diversity,
- measurement and comparison of biodiversity across different spatial scales,
- basic processes of speciation and extinction as well as factors influencing extinction risk,
- direct and indirect drivers of current biodiversity loss,
- the importance of genetic diversity, genetic drift, inbreeding, effective population size and gene flow in small and isolated populations,
- key approaches in conservation management such as protected areas, habitat restoration, connectivity and translocation,
- monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of conservation measures.
Using current research and practical case studies, students learn how changes in biodiversity can be detected, their causes investigated, and appropriate conservation and management measures derived and evaluated.
Previous knowledge expected

Basic knowledge of ecology and evolutionary biology.
Key concepts in population biology will be briefly reviewed during the course.
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

After successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- describe biodiversity at different levels of biological organisation and distinguish between different dimensions of biological diversity;
- apply and interpret basic concepts and measures used to assess and compare biodiversity;
- explain ecological and evolutionary processes influencing the origin, persistence and extinction of species and populations;
- distinguish between major direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss and analyse their mechanisms using concrete examples;
- explain why small and isolated populations may be particularly vulnerable due to demographic and genetic processes;
- critically interpret scientific information on biodiversity, population trends and extinction risk;
- select appropriate conservation and management measures for simple case studies and assess their potential benefits, risks and trade-offs;
- evaluate the effectiveness of conservation measures using monitoring and evaluation data within the framework of evidence-based and adaptive management.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.