Bellevue University

BI/GL 350

CONSERVATION & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

 

Prerequisite:  Junior or senior level

 

Credit:  3 hours

 

Objectives:  Students who successfully complete this course will

 

1.     understand the role of geology, topography, soil, water, energy, and air in the natural environment.

2.     understand that conservation & management of natural resources relates to how the above factors interact with ecosystems to create a favorable environment for the living world.

3.     understand the concept of sustainability and its relationship to the management of all natural resources.

4.     understand the plan and technology of resource management as it applies to forests, agriculture, rangeland, wildlife, aquatic resources, energy, minerals, and waste.

5.     understand the key strategies for conservation economics and conservation of genetic diversity.

6.     understand the key management strategies for endangered species.

7.     understand the ecological principles for preserve design.

8.     understand the state of present and future global conservation efforts.

9.     strengthen their appreciation of nature and love of the land.

 

Course content:

 

this course will study the principles underlying conservation techniques as practiced in the United States and globally, and the proper management of the various natural resources so as to achieve a sustainable society.

 

General kind of assignments: 

 

Students will be required to attend lectures and to read the textbook.  Students will be required to write reactionary papers to journal articles dealing with contemporary issues in conservation and resource management.

 

Testing and grading: 

 

Students will be evaluated based on four lecture examinations and the reactionary papers.

 

Course outline:

 

1.     History of conservation

2.     Review of natural resources (past, present and future time), laws of the biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere

3.     Soil, energy flow

4.     Biogeography

5.     The technology of resource management as it applies to forests, agriculture, rangeland, wildlife, aquatic resources, energy, minerals, and waste

6.     Economics of conservation

7.     Genetic diversity conservation

8.     Preserve design

9.     Global conservation movements

Signatures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Textbook:

 

Castillon, David A. Conservation of Natural Resources. Wm. C. Brown. Dubuque, IA.