Biodiversity and bioresources
A Lill
4 points * Two 1-hour lectures and one 2.5 hour practical * First semester * Clayton
Objectives Students should gain an understanding of biological diversity and biodiversity issues valuable for multidisciplinary studies in environmental science, engineering, earth sciences, genetics, botany and zoology.
Synopsis In this subject, biodiversity is used as an organising theme to provide a perspective for human interaction with the biological environment and to provide a foundation and a rationale for conservation and management of genetic, species and ecosystem diversity. This subject gives an overview of biological diversity by considering the origins and unfolding of life on earth, and the processes that have led to its current distribution and diversity. Controversies surrounding the state of knowledge of present day biodiversity, the means of measuring it, and the magnitude of losses resulting from human activities are examined. Means of efficiently funding and developing bioresources are considered and some of the policy issues surrounding biodiversity and its management.
Assessment Theory examination: 50% * Project reports: 30% * Practical examination: 20%
Prescribed texts
Primack R B Essentials of conservation biology Sinauer, 1993
Recommended texts
Beattie A J Biodiversity: Australia's living wealth Reed
Wilson E O The diversity of life Lane, 1992
| Published by Monash University, Clayton, Victoria
3168 Copyright © Monash University 1996 - All Rights Reserved - Caution Authorised by the Academic Registrar December 1996 |