WFS 525
Endangered Species Management and
Conservation of Biodiversity
(2 cr)
Instructor David A. Buehler
246 Ellington Hall
974‑8845
Class website: http://www.online.utk.edu/courses/90208
II. Catalog
description:
WFS 525-
Endangered Species Management and the Conservation of Biodiversity- 2 credits
Status,
ecology and management of endangered wildlife and plant species. Historic aspects, policy implications and philosophical issues surrounding recovery
efforts. Approaches to monitor and manage
for biodiversity. Prerequisites:
Graduate standing or consent of instructor.
III. Schedule: 3:35-5:30
Wednesday
114
Plant Sciences
IV. Text: None- selected
readings on reserve in the Ag/Vet library.
V. Course
Goal
Help students understand why species become
endangered and help students learn the principles of recovery planning. An additional goal is to help students
understand how to monitor and manage for biodiversity.
VI. Student
Evaluation: Final grades will be assigned based:
Term paper 100 points
Discussion
Leader 100 points
Discussion
Participation 100 points
----------
Total 300 points
Grading
Scale: 92-100% A
89-91% B+
82-88% B
79-81% C+
72-78% C
60-71% D
<60% F
VII. Lecture
Topics
Philosophical Considerations- Why Conserve Species?
Endangered Species Act- How it Works
Management Approaches for Endangered Species
Habitat Conservation Plans
Monitoring and Management for Biodiversity
Guest speakers will be brought in to talk about a range
of topics as the semester progresses so we are exposed to the expertise
available at UTK and in the surrounding area on endangered species.
VIII. Class
Participation
This class will involve extensive in-class discussions
where we explore issues and management strategies. Much of the learning that goes on may occur during these
discussions. Your participation in
these discussions is part of your overall grade. The discussion participation
part of the grade will be based on 1)
your class attendance; 2) your
contribution in discussions.
IX. Class
Project- Monitoring and Managing for Biodiversity
We will form
student teams of 3 students each for the class project. This year we will be developing strategic
plans for a variety of land ownerships for monitoring and managing to enhance
biological diversity. Teams and target
landowners should be identified by January 24th. The student teams shall do the following:
1) Conduct an in-depth evaluation of the study
area, identifying ownership boundaries, cover types present, and develop a
potential list of species in need of management on the property. Develop a monitoring strategy to determine
which listed species are present and at what relative level of abundance. Then develop a management plan that outlines
how the property should be managed to conserve and where possible, enhance
biological diversity.
2) Make a class presentation (1 hour) on your
project to inform the class on what issues you were faced with in development
of your plan, what monitoring strategies should be pursued, and what management
actions need to be taken to promote conservation of biological diversity.
IX. Class
Project (cont)
3)
Write a team report on your case study presenting what you have
learned. Describe the characteristics
of the property; summarize the key features that are important contributors to
biological diversity, present and justify your monitoring strategy, and review
the management actions that should be taken to conserve biological diversity, The report should be submitted in Journal
of Wildlife Management manuscript format.
See Ratti and Ratti (1988) (J. Wildl. Manage. 52:169) for how to do
this. The report will be posted on the
class website for public viewing in the future. Deadline for report on disk
and one hardcopy is: May 2, 2001.
Class Schedule
Date Speaker Topic
10 Jan Dr.
David Buehler Class Introduction
17 Jan Dr.
David Buehler Why Conserve End.
Species?
24 Jan Dr.
David Buehler Endangered Species Act
31 Jan Chuck
Nicholson Regulatory Review under
ESA
7 Feb Dr. David Buehler Habitat Conservation Plans
14 Feb Dr. Dave
Etnier Endangered Fish in
Tennessee
21 Feb Dr. Ed
Clebsch Endangered Plants
28 Feb Dr. Mike
Pelton Endangered Carnivores
7 Mar Mr. Troy Ettel Endangered Species
Conservation
on Private Lands
14 Mar Dr.
David Buehler Monitoring and Managing
for
Biodiversity
21 Mar No class Spring Break!
28 Mar Dr.
David Buehler Monitoring and Managing
for
Biodiversity
4 Apr Dr. David Buehler Monitoring and Managing for
Biodiversity
11 Apr Dr.
David Buehler Monitoring and Managing
for
Biodiversity
18 Apr Student
Teams ------------------------------
25 Apr Student
Teams ------------------------------
May 2 Dr.
David Buehler Class Finale