NEW GRADUATE COURSE FOR SPRING 2015
FIW 5984 : Systems Conservation of Animal Populations
This course adopts an integrative approach to understanding problems of sustainable management and conservation of animals in natural landscapes. The course is founded on the idea that effective conservation of animal populations can only be achieved through consideration and management of broader, multifaceted factors related to natural ecosystems and human societies. The course seeks to help students conceptualize and articulate their own problems of study within an interdisciplinary framework.
The course introduces students to approaches to understanding biological conservation problems as integrated systems by reviewing the literature of Systems Ecology and Social-Ecological Systems. It reviews key concepts and papers on ecosystem-based management, resource economics, user participation, policy, and governance. Attention is paid to the diversity of social-ecological settings across the globe and the role of rural communities in animal management and conservation. The course concludes with presentations and discussions led by the students of research projects analyzing animal conservations problems from a systems perspective.
Classes are based on discussions of readings led jointly by students and instructor.
See attached file for more details, or contact
Leandro Castello (leandro@vt.edu)
148 Cheatham Hall
Phone: 540-231-5046