Seminar in Conservation Biology, Spring 2022

Essentials
Instructor: John Waldman
Office: Queens College NSB D-320
Email: [Link]@[Link]
Telephone: 718-997-3603
Course Meeting Time & Place: Wednesday 6:00 - 7:50 PM, NSB-D348
Office hours: By appointment, before or after class, or otherwise

Objectives
This course explores topics framed under the title “Conservation Biology.” Conservation
Biology is an emerging field that aims to preserve biological diversity. We will cover
issues in marine conservation biology and terrestrial conservation biology, the latter with
a quick dive into conservation into urban settings. We also will examine the history of
this field, the importance of historical ecology and environmental history, and possible
solutions to conservation issues.

What is a Seminar Course?

A seminar course is your course, i.e., a discussion among the students with me as
facilitator. As students in a seminar, you must take responsibility for doing the required
readings before you come to class. This means close, attentive, and critical reading. Only
by doing so can you contribute meaningfully to the ensuing discussions. We’ll all only
get out of it what we all put into it.

Seminar Mechanics

Paper Reviews & Discussions

Before each class the readings for that week are assigned by providing a download or a
link to them. It is your responsibility to be prepared to lead the discussion for each
paper. You also must email me two or more thoughtful discussion questions or comments
from each reading by 10 PM the night before the class meets.

Who actually leads the discussion will be chosen at random that day. These students will
introduce and help guide the discussion from their notes and from their memory. It is
unacceptable to just read the paper or notes aloud, although particular important
statements may be read. The crux of the paper should be presented before serious class
discussions begin. This means reviewing the rationale for the study, what methods were
used and why, the results, and what the authors made of the results. It is important not to
accept the findings of the paper at face value. As advanced students you should be
thinking critically. For example, was the problem addressed a good one? Was it studied at
the proper dimensions? Were there flaws in the approach used? Was the discussion
lacking or overextended? Don’t be afraid to take a stand or to speculate. (A useful source
for advice on how to read a scientific paper can be found at
[Link]
There are many ways to view a problem. It is the job of the listeners in the class to be
supportive of the presenter but also to ask tough, provocative questions and to provide
alternative points of view. Everyone needs to participate.

Profiles in Conservation Biology

The brief history of conservation biology is also the story of key individuals whose
biographies illuminate the field. Before our paper discussions we will have a student
present a 5-7-minute-long biography of one of these individuals. The biography should
briefly cover three topics: (1) Who is this person? (2) What were their major
accomplishments in conservation biology? And (3) What is their legacy today? Do not
read your biography to the class but you can use an outline if you wish.

Term Papers
The term paper is a major work product for the course and a strong effort should be put
into it. To help ensure that you produce a paper you will be proud of, try to choose a topic
that truly interests you. In choosing topics, we will hold a “draft” on March 9th. In a nod
to fairness, those who get to choose topics first will also have to present in that sequence.
But the actual written term papers will not be due until May 4th. [If you must miss your
scheduled presentation (and only because of a truly insurmountable problem), I should be
notified as soon as possible so that alternate arrangements can be made.] An outline of
the term paper is due on April 6th.

The text of the term papers for undergraduates should be at least 10 double-spaced (or 7
space-and-a-half) pages in 11 or 12 pt font, plus a references section with at least 6
journal citations. Graduate student papers should be at least 12 double-spaced (or 10
space-and-a-half). References should be presented in the simple standard scientific
format used by the journal Ecology (see
[Link] Sources for the
term papers beyond the journal articles may also include anything relevant, such as
books, newspaper articles, internet articles, and interviews, but all must be cited. (You
also might consider conducting your own interviews, if possible). The form of the term
paper should mirror that of a good scientific review article, i.e., it should state the
problem, review and critique the literature, draw broad conclusions, and make
recommendations.

Student will present their term papers to the class in roughly 15 to 20 minute talks near
the end of the semester. Presentations of their term papers should be done in Powerpoint.
It is not permissible to simply read the presentation aloud either from paper or screen.

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Other Work Products

Profiles in Conservation

George Perkins Marsh Rachel Carson

Henry David Thoreau Peter Matthiessen

John Muir Michael Soule

Aldo Leopold Thomas Lovejoy

Gifford Pinchot E.O. Wilson

Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Wangari Maathai

Theodore Roosevelt Vandana Shiva

Concluding essay
On our final meeting (May 11th) we will have a discussion based around the questions:
What is your level of optimism for the future environment and ecology of the planet? Can
we sustain sufficient biodiversity? And is the Anthropocene a useful concept and should
it be embraced or rejected?” A minimum two-page (double-spaced) essay stating your
well-defended opinion will be due that day.

Evaluation & Grading

There will be no exams—grading will be based on a combination of writings,
presentations, participation, and attendance.

5% - Profiles in Conservation presentation

20% - Written questions & comments about readings

5% - Participation & attendance

10% - Introductory presentation of a reading

15% - Term paper presentation

35% - Term paper

10% - Concluding thoughts essay

====

100%

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Academic Honesty
Academic integrity is expected and required. Plagiarism and other forms of academic
dishonesty are prohibited. Any suspected incidents will be investigated. If you have
doubts about how to quote or paraphrase works, please consult me.

Schedule

Introduction to Conservation Biology

Week 1 – Feb 2 Meet & greet, introduction to course, etc.?
Week 2 – Feb 9 Profile, three readings

Marine Realm
Week 3 – Feb 16 Profile, three readings
Week 4 – Feb 23 Profile, three readings
Week 5 – Mar 2 Profile, three readings
Week 6 – Mar 9 Profile, three readings

Terrestrial Realm
Week 7 – Mar 16 Profile, three readings
Week 8 – Mar 23 Profile, three readings
Week 9 – Mar 30 Profile, three readings

Urban Conservation Biology

Week 10 – Apr 6 Profile, Guest lecture, two readings

Solutions
Week 11 – Apr 13 Profile, three readings
Week 12 – Apr 27 Profile, Term Paper Presentations
Week 13 – May 4 Profile, Term Paper Presentations
Week 14 – May 11 Term Paper Presentations, Final Discussion

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A Few Good Resources (of many more—don’t stop here!)

Journals
Conservation Biology Marine Biology Nature Sustainability
Ecology Ecological Monographs Ecology and Society
Marine Ecology Marine Ecology-Progress Series BioScience

Search Engines in Biology

E-Journal Portal of Queens College BIOSYS
BioOne EBSCO Web of Science

Internet
Hakai
[Link]
Mongabay
[Link]
Biodiversity and Conservation (An on-line hyper-textbook)
[Link]
Biological Diversity: The Oldest Human Heritage (E. O. Wilson) 1999.
[Link]
Biodiversity Project
[Link]
Environmental News Network
[Link]
EarthTrends: The Environmental Information Portal
[Link]
NatureServe
[Link]
Yale Environment 360
[Link]
Biodiversity Bibliography: Ecology, Economics and Policy

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 [Link]
Library Intensive Course: Conservation Biology
(not actually a course but a great references source)
[Link]
Wildlife Conservation Society—Marine Program
[Link]
Living Oceans Society
[Link]
Blue Ocean Institute
[Link]
Shifting Baselines
[Link]
Marine Invasions Research Lab
[Link]
Marine Conservation Society
[Link]
Marine Conservation Society Institute
[Link]
The Ocean Conservancy
[Link]
National Coalition for Marine Conservation
[Link]
The Nature Conservancy—Global Marine Initiative
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]