MB3200 - Marine Conservation Biology

Credit points:	03
Year:	2010
Student Contribution Band:	Band 4
Administered by:	School of Marine & Tropical Biology

An ecological approach to human impacts on, and conservation of marine habitats and species, with a tropical emphasis. It will describe the ecological effects of overfishing, nutrient enrichment, habitat loss, pollution and marine introductions. The subject will examine the meanings of the terms rare and endangered for marine organisms and the threat of extinction. Current practices employed in the conservation and management of marine habitats and endangered marine species will be debated. A central focus will be the ecological principles and practice of designing marine reserves, enhancing populations of rare species and restoring damaged biological communities. Tutorials and an on-line chat room will facilitate the debate of all current issues in marine conservation.

Learning Outcomes

• acquire a knowledge of the current understanding of human impacts on and conservation of different types of marine organisms;
• acquire an understanding of the basic methodologies of impact assessment and conservation research;
• to develop verbal, written and on-line skills in debating marine conservation issues.

Assumed Knowledge:	Students enrolling in this subject should have a good understanding of basic biology, ecology, statistics and marine biology and should have completed either BS2001 or MB2060.
Prerequisites:	AG2001 OR BS2001 OR BZ2001 OR MB2060
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	MB5004

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 26-Aug-2010
Coord/Lect:	Professor Geoffrey Jones.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 18 hours tutorials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50%); tutorial attendance and participation (10%); assignments (40%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.