Spring 2008

Course Objectives:
The course is intended to introduce students to major concepts in population ecology with an emphasis on their application to conservation of wildlife species. Topics will include mathematical models of population growth, population viability analysis, habitat fragmentation and metapopulations, dispersal, population harvesting, predation and population cycles, competition, and estimation of population parameters in the field.  In addition, several experts will give guest lectures on land use and mammals, habitat selection and source-sink dynamics, wildlife diseases, and invasive species.  Lab time will be used to provide students with a clearer understanding of the principles and purposes of population models and parameter estimation techniques, to improve scientific writing skills, and to discuss relevant journal articles.  Questions and opinions from students will be genuinely welcomed.  Many important issues in population ecology have not been resolved, so constructive debate is expected.

Students will not be experts in specific areas of population ecology at the completion of this course.  Entire courses could be offered on certain topics that we will cover in one or two lectures.  However, students will have a solid knowledge of fundamental concepts, controversies, and analysis techniques in population ecology and how these relate to management of wildlife species.