Conservation Biology . Cr. 4

Michael J. Lannoo, Indiana University School of Medicine

UI: 00L:163

ISU: Ia LL 531I

UNI: 890:263

Population and community level examination of factors influencing the viability of plant and animal populations from both demographic and genetic perspectives; assessment of biodiversity; design and management of preserves.  Meets June 2-27, 2008.

The only prerequisite will be a course in introductory biology.

A combination laboratory and field course, Conservation Biology examines the history of the Upper Midwest from the retreat of the latest glaciers to the present day.  Northwest Iowa is a landscape of lakes, wetlands, prairie, and oak savannah; it is also a place of intense agriculture, an area of concentrated summer tourism, and it hosts a wind farm.  In this context, native ecosystems will be compared against altered ecosystems, and the processes of restoration will be measured against these extremes.  Students will participate in an oak savannah restoration and should bring rugged clothing, sturdy boots, heavy canvas gloves, waders (optional—you may instead choose to get wet), and a hard hat (also optional). 

We will have two texts, Okoboji Wetlands, 1996, by M.J. Lannoo (copies will be available onsite) and Principles of Conservation Biology, 3rd Ed. By M.J. Groom, G.K. Meffe and C.R. Carroll, 2006, Sinauer Associates, Inc. (ISBN: 0-87893-518-5), which should be purchased in advance.  We will be taking three, one-day field trips. Field trip fee: $30.

For more information, please contact Dr. Lannoo.

Phone: 812-237-2059

Email: mlannoo@iupui.edu