BY312 Plant Diversity and Conservation
Bl 3 2000-01
Prof. Tass Kelso x 6405
Barnes 426/28

Syllabus and Outline  

Texts:

Buchmann, S.L. & G.P. Nabhan, 1996. The Forgotten Pollinators. Island Press, Washington, DC. Primack, R.B. 1998. Essentials of Conservation Biology (2nd Ed). Sinauer Assoc. Sunderland, MA. Tuxhill, J. 1999. Nature's Cornucopia. Worldwatch Paper 148. Other readings are on reserve in the library. Please do the reading for the day listed! *Indicates that there will be more than just morning class. See schedule

Week 1

Mon. Oct. 30: Intro to the course. Scope and Issues in Plant Conservation Biology; Measuring Biodiversity

*Tues Oct 31: Field Trip 8 am. Pm Session: Valuing Diversity: Genes to Ecosystems Reading: Primack 2, 4, 5; Tuxhill: Nature's Cornucopia pp 1-44

Wed Nov 1: Extinctions and Rarity/Conservation at the Species Level and Below/ESA Reading: Primack 7,8; ESA materials

*Thurs Nov 2: 9 a.m. Field Trip to Bohart/Chico Ranches: Ecoregional Conservation. Return mid-afternoon. Reading: Begin on Pollinators, try to get as much done as you can!

Fri Nov 3: Habitat Loss/Invasive Spp. Reading: Primack 9, 10, Vitousek (reserve); Discussion on Pollinators1-4

Week 2

Mon Nov 6: Small Populations and their Problems Reading: Primack 11, 12; Disc. Pollinators 5-8

Tues Nov 7: Exam!!

*Wed Nov 8: Reserves 1: Private Approaches/Field Trip? 9 a.m.

Thurs Nov 9: Reserves 2 Reading: Primack 13, 14; Lambeck (reserve)

Fri Nov 10: Reserves 3 Reading: Primack 15, 16, 17

*Mon Nov 13: Agriculture and Its Problems/Possible Guest Speaker Finish Disc. Pollinators; Misc. Readings. Tuxhill 44-end

Tues: Nov 14: Exam!!

*Wed Nov 15: Field Trip Denver Botanical Garden 9 a. m.

Thurs-Mon Nov 16-20 Work on Proposals Tues Nov 21: Oral Presentations of Proposals

Wed Nov 22: Proposals due to me by noon

Course Requirements

2 Exams: 25% each
1 Oral Presentation (15-30 minutes-in pairs): 10%
1 Written Proposal (Max. 5 pp) 25%
Class Contributions: 15% (includes attendance, thoughtful oral contributions, plus presentation/critique of paper or chapter assigned by me)

The class schedule will typically be 9 am to noon, but several exceptions will exist (please check schedule carefully). These will include field trips, possible guest speakers, or occasionally extra discussion time in the afternoons. We may also have small group meetings in the afternoon.