NWI-BM075
Biodiversity Assessment
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleNWI-BM075
Credits (ECTS)3
CategoryMA (Master)
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Faculty of Science; BioWetenschappen;
Lecturer(s)
PreviousNext 5
Lecturer
dr. A. Benitez Lopez
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
dr. C.C.F. Boonman
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
M. Busana, MSc
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
mr. M. Cengic
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
ing. J. Gallego Zamorano
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2018
Period
KW1  (03/09/2018 to 04/11/2018)
Starting block
KW1
Course mode
full-time
Remarks-
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesYes
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims
This course focusses on knowledge and skills required to perform and interpret an assessment of the status and trends of biodiversity. Upon completion of the course, you will be able to
  • critically reflect on metrics, indicators and approaches used to quantify biodiversity;
  • develop and apply species distribution models in order to quantify responses of biodiversity to anthropogenic changes in the environment;  
  • summarize and synthesize scientific literature on a recent theme in biodiversity assessment;
  • work effectively in a team to complete collaborative assignments.
Content
This course consists of three learning units (LUs):

LU 1. Biodiversity assessment methods
This first learning unit deals with the question how to quantify biodiversity and its responses to environmental change, with a focus on modelling approaches. Which metrics and indicators are available to capture relevant dimensions of biodiversity? And how can we model biodiversity in relation to (anthropogenic) environmental change?

LU 2. Biodiversity assessment in practice
In this learning unit you will develop and apply species distribution models (SDMs) in order to assess and interpret status and trends of biodiversity. SDMs are quantitative relationships between the occurrence of species and environmental conditions. You will develop SDMs for a selection of species and environmental conditions (such as climate and land use) and then apply the models to assess how species occurrence and biodiversity will change in relation to anthropogenic changes in these environmental conditions.

LU 3. Recent themes in biodiversity assessment
In this learning unit you will review the scientific literature on a topical theme related to biodiversity assessment, for example on quantifying indirect ecological effects of anthropogenic environmental change, impacts of invasive species, or trait-based assessments. You will search the peer-reviewed literature to obtain a selection of relevant papers and synthesize the information in the light of a specific (set of) research question(s). Based on the results obtained you will write a short review paper and prepare a platform presentation.
Additional comments
Please note that due to the preparations of the practical part, you need to register for this course 4 weeks before the start

Topics
This course focusses on knowledge and skills required to perform and interpret an assessment of the status and trends of biodiversity. The course consists of three parts. In the first part, you will be introduced to different metrics and models that can be used to quantify biodiversity. In the second part, you will be conducting a biodiversity assessment yourself: you will develop and apply species distribution models to explore the consequences of future environmental change for various dimensions of biodiversity. In the third part, you will review and synthesize recent scientific literature on a topic relevant to biodiversity assessment.

Test information
Assessment of project assignments and written exam

Prerequisites
BSc Biology or Environmental Sciences.

Contact information
Dr. Aafke Schipper (A.Schipper@science.ru.nl)

Required materials
Blackboard
The following study materials will be used during the course: 1) Course manual 2018-2019 with general information (Part A) and guidelines to the study assignments (Part B); 2) Supporting (scientific) literature.

Instructional modes
Lecture

General
Lectures related to four learning units of the course

Practical computer training
Attendance MandatoryYes

General
Study group assignment with BIO-SAFE model

Project
Attendance MandatoryYes

General
Reviews of current themes in biodiversity research

Project presentation
Attendance MandatoryYes

General
Presentation outcomes of project current themes in biodiversity research

Self-tuition

General
33 hours self-tuition, using learning materials

Tutorial

General
Tutorial on computer assignment with model BIO-SAFE

Tests
Exam
Test weight1
Test typeExam
OpportunitiesBlock KW1, Block KW2