In this age of profound climactic changes, and known major environmental problems, focusing upon these themes is not only a requirement but also an invigorating undertaking. We are at a major turning point, one in which we must all take a stand. To take a stand, we must be properly informed. Therefore, this course examines biological diversity in its three dimensions: genetic, species, and ecosystems. Furthermore, we examine how biodiversity is generated and what is its importance,studying how the activities of humans affect the same, and whether or not those affects can be minimized. Tied closely to this, conservation efforts are examined as a key way to protect and preserve biological diversity. Thus, it is also necessary in a parallel fashion to define conservation and its importance, identifying the agents involved in the design and the implementation of the same. Finally,important attention is given to the recognized achievements, shortcomings and challenges of conservation, examining the role of the state and civil society, firmly establishing one’s own personal role as a contributing agent to both conservation and the biological diversity of the planet.
Course Guidelines
1. Classes start on time. Arriving more than 10 minutes late is equivalent to being tardy. Three
tardies equals one absence. Students who arrive more than 30 minutes late are marked absent. A student who accumulates four (4) or more absences fails the course.
2. All assignments must be handed in on the due date.
3. Exams must be taken on the assigned date and will only be made up in case of documented
emergencies. If an emergency occurs, it is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the
professor and make arrangements. There will be an charge for make-up tests/activities
which require the professor’s presence.
Major Course Goal
To analyze and understand the themes most directly related with biological diversity and conservation, thus creating well-informed world citizens who are able to effectively appreciate the dimensions of policies and activities associated with this topic, thereby being able to participate intelligently in the debate and the decision-making process, contributing to knowledge-building, management and implementation of policies in this area.
Specific Objectives
1. Know and understand the primary concepts and categories related to biological diversity
and conservation.
2. Analyze, and understand different topics related to biological diversity and conservation.
3. Form critical world citizens so that they can reflect, debate, make decisions, contribute to
knowledge-building, manage and implement actions related to this area.
4. Develop awareness and sensibility among the course participants so that they will be able
to effectively contribute to the protection and management of both the biosphere and
biodiversity.
Modules
The course is divided into three modules, each of which is comprised of five three-hour sessions:(1)Biological Diversity,(2)Conservation,(3)Society and Conservation.
Thematic Areas
Module I: Biological Diversity
1. Biological diversity
• What is meant by biological diversity
• Types of biological diversity: genetic, species, and ecosystems.
• The biological diversity of Costa Rica: current situation, understanding, and management.
2. Diversity of species and genetic diversity
• Endemic species
• Extinctions, threatened species, species in danger of extinction
• Exotic species
• Domesticated species
• Genetic diversity: individuals, populations, and species
• Problems with genetically modified organisms
3. Diversity of ecosystems
• The tropical rain forest of Latin America and its planetary importance
• The ecosystems of coastal areas, swamps, and estuaries
• Global warming and its effects on the oceans’ resources
• Agricultural ecosystems
4. Human activity and its impact on biological diversity
• Agricultural activities and their affect on biodiversity
• Forest management and biodiversity
• Water and biodiversity
• Urban development and tourism: consequences for biodiversity and humans
Module II: Conservation
1. What are we talking about?
• Conservation in general
• Conservation as a strategy
• Conservation as an attitude and a philosophy
2. The biology of conservation
• What is it?
• What is it about?
• Human responsibility for biological diversity and the planet
• Guiding principles of biology and conservation
3. Conservation in situ and ex situ
4. Restoration: an important means of conservation
5. Protected areas as the best conservation policy: the case of Costa Rica
6. Payment for environmental services and conservation guarantees
Module III: Society and Conservation
1. Global economy and conservation
2. Legal and institutional frameworks of conservation
3. Civil society as a participant in the process of conservation
4. International cooperation as an incentive for conservation
5. The role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
Evaluation of the student
Evaluation is seen as an on-going process; as such, it will be applied from the first to the last moment of the course. Furthermore, as the course is meant to be participatory and dynamic, students will participate as co-evaluators. Formal evaluation will be done primarily through exercises and practice activities. The exact percentages and formulas associated with evaluation will be jointly established by
the students and the professor in the first two class periods.
Suggested criteria for formal evaluation
1. Participation in daily exercises and creation of summary and synthesis documents
2. Participation in field work and the creation of related reflective reports
3. In-class contributions
4. Presentation of assigned topics
Bibliography
J. Timmons Roberts and Nikki Demetria Thanos. “Trouble in Paradise; Globalization and Environmental Crises in Latin America”. Edit. Routledge”.
Obando Acuña, Vilma, 2002. “Biodiversidad en Costa Rica; estado del conocimiento y gestión”
(Biological Diversity in Costa Rica: current state of knowledge and policy). Editado por Instituto
Nacional de Biodiversidad (INBIO), Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica.
Ministerio del ambiente y energía (MINAE), 2000. “Estrategia Nacional de Conservación y Uso
Sostenible de la Biodiversidad” (A Nacional Strategy for Conservation and the Sustainable Use of Biodiversity). MINAE, San José, Costa Rica.
García, Randall 2002. “Biología de la Conservación: conceptos y prácticas” (Biology and Conservation: Concepts and Practices). Edit. INBIO, Sto. Domingo, Heredia, Costa Rica.
Valerio, Carlos E. 2006. “Costa Rica: ambiente y biodiversidad” (Costa Rica: Environment and
Biodiversity). INBIO, Sto. Domingo, Heredia, Costa Rica.
Mozo Morrón, Teobaldo y otros, 1999. “Ecología y Conservación de Recursos Naturales Renovables”
(Ecology and Conservation of Renewable Natural Resources). ECOE Ediciones, Bogotá, Colombia.
Mires, Fernando 1990. “El Discurso de la Naturaleza: Ecología y Política en América Latina” (A
Discourse on Nature: Ecology and Politics in Latin America). Editorial DEI, San José, Costa Rica.
Related information indexed by standard search engines
- Yahoo, Alta vista, Lycos, Excite, WebCrawler.
www.emagazine.com/
www.igc.org/igc/econet/
www.cnie.org/index.shtml
www.ulb.ac.be/ceese/cds/html
www.greenpeace.org
www.wri.org/wr2000esp.html
www.earthcharter.org/draft/spanish.htm
www.cgv.org/cgv/
www.wri.org/wr2000esp.html
http://www.earthcharter.org/draft/spanish.htm
Suggested references at UICR for students
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ebrary: An extensive current electronic collection of full-text scholarly books on a wide variety of topics.
Areas covered include, but are not limited to: economics, business administration, tourism, social
sciences, natural sciences, literature and architecture.
Business Administration physical collection: An extensive physical collection which focuses on topics
related to both economics and business administration.
Proquest: An extensive current electronic collection of abstracts and full-text professional journal
articles on a wide variety of topics. Areas include, but are not limited to: finance, economics, business
administration, engineering, political science, technology, and statistics.
OCDE: An online portal which permits indexed access to all the publications of the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development, from 1998 to the present.
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