Course Catalogue

Module Code and Title:       BDC201          Biodiversity Conservation and Management

 

Programme(s):                      BSc Environmental Management

 

Credit Value:                         12

 

Module Tutor(s):                   Bach-Lien Ngo (Coordinator)

Deki Phuntsho Yonten

GP Sharma

 

General objective(s) of the module:

 

The main focus of the module is to introduce students to the principles, theories and concepts of biodiversity and its measurement. This module will provide combine practical knowledge on measuring and estimating biodiversity and understanding threats to biodiversity.

 

Learning outcomes – Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

 

  • Discuss biodiversity and its characterization.
  • Explain the different status of species and how they become endangered.
  • Measure and estimate species richness and relative abundance.
  • Explore the benefits of biodiversity and the need to conserve it.
  • Distinguish different threats to biodiversity.
  • Identify the common species of flora and fauna.
  • Describe the different forest types that exist and some of the characteristic species as well as their functions, uses, and threats to them.
  • Explain the importance of fresh water and aquatic biodiversity.
  • Explain the effect of climate on the nature, location of biomes and major terrestrial systems and human impacts on them.
  • Describe the main plant and animal genetic resources in Bhutan and their in-situ and ex-situ conservation.
  • Outline the management aspects of horticultural crops, vegetables and aromatic and medicinal plants.
  • Explain the plant and animal quarantine acts for conservation and management of local resources.

 

Skills to be developed:

 

·         Students should be able to conduct field measurements on biodiversity.

·         Students should be able to collect specimens and contribute to a herbarium.

 

Learning and teaching approaches used:

 

The module will be conducted over 15 teaching weeks as follows:

·         3 hrs/wk lecture & discussions.

·         1 hr/wk basic forest measurement work, in conjunction with the GIS module this semester. The weekly field work will include identification of (and determination of the uses of) prominent plants and animals using appropriate tools and instruments in and around the College, field study for learning forest management through good silvicultural practices, and field study to identify birds available in a particular place.

·         4 hrs/wk outside of class, on average, for independent study.

·         One block-day field visit to the nearby National Biodiversity Centre.

·         A full block-week field trip (to Nobding and back, or equivalent areas) shared with other modules in this semester. During this time, students will have to keep a journal of their biodiversity observations and measurements.

 

Assessment:

 

Semester-End Examination (SE):            40%

Continuous Assessment (CA):     60%

CA Assessment

Weight

Assessment Detail

Field Visit Report

15%

Group report  (2-3 students) on block-day trip.

Practical work and journal (during block week)

25%

Journal of the biodiversity observations and measurements from block-week trip and weekly field work.

Quizzes (2 x 5%)

10%

Two written quizzes.

Midterm Exam

10%

 

 

Pre-requisite knowledge: ECL101 Principles of Ecology

 

Subject Matter:

 

              I.        Fundamentals of biodiversity conservation

a.    Etymology, relevance and evolutionary significance

b.    Levels and types of biodiversity: genetic, species and ecosystem

c.    Biodiversity at local, national and global levels

d.    Measures and documentation of biodiversity

e.    Functions and values of biodiversity

            II.        Biodiversity measurement

a.    Relative abundance: common species and rare species

b.    Measuring and estimating species richness

c.    Diversity indices

d.    Species-area relationships

e.    Biodiversity sampling methods; distance sampling

           III.        Loss and threats to biodiversity

a.    Data and trends on global biodiversity; human impacts

b.    Major threat areas, e.g. tropical rainforests, oceans

c.    Major threat types, e.g. over-use and overhunting, habitat loss / degradation / fragmentation, invasive species, pollution, climate change

d.    Endangered and threatened species; role as ecological smoke alarm

e.    Human role in the premature extinction of species in general and case studies

f.     Adjustment, adaptation and solutions

          IV.        Forestry and forests management

a.    Identification of vegetation types and animal species within the context of ecosystems; study of common flora and fauna in and around RTC

b.    Evaluating forest stand structure and composition

c.    Density estimation

d.    History of forestry in the world and the local and national objectives of social forestry interventions

e.    Functions and types of threats to and importance of forests in general and in Bhutan in particular

f.     Forest management through good silvicultural practices (rotational forestry, selective cutting and social forestry); alternatives to clear cutting

            V.        Aquatic biodiversity

a.    Economic and ecological importance of aquatic biodiversity

b.    Wetland land management in Bhutan

c.    Historical development, gaps and needs of fish farming in Bhutan

          VI.        Plant genetic resources of Bhutan

a.    Agro-biodiversity and its significance

b.    Status of field crops in Bhutan (In-situ and Ex-situ)

c.    Plant genetic resource management

d.    Aromatic and medicinal plants conservation and management

e.    Quarantine Act for plants and animals

         VII.        Animal genetic resources of Bhutan

a.    Types of domestic animals; their importance and issues

b.    Livestock development initiatives: breeds, pasture development, new technology

c.    Conservation status in Bhutan (In-situ and Ex-situ)

d.    New initiatives and approaches on livestock sector development and management

        VIII.        Biodiversity and climate

a.    Effect of climate on the nature and location of biomes

b.    Major terrestrial systems and human impacts on them

c.    Major aquatic systems and human impacts on them

 

Essential Readings

 

  1. Department of Forest and Park Services. (2013). Glimpse of Bhutan's Forest Biodiversity Captured by Foresters, Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, Royal Government of Bhutan.
  2. Inskipp, C. Inskipp, T.  An Introduction to Bird Watching in Bhutan. Illustrations by Craig Robson and Published by WWF Bhutan Program, Thimphu
  3. Ministry of Agriculture. (2008). Plant Genetic Resources of Bhutan, Published by national Biodiversity Centre. Printed at Kuensel Corporation. Thimphu.
  4. Ministry of Agriculture, (2008). Animal Genetic Resources of Bhutan, Published by national Biodiversity Centre. Printed at Kuensel Corporation. Thimphu.
  5. Miller, G.T., and Spoolman, S.E. (2014). Environmental Science 14th Ed. New Delhi: Cengage Learning.
  6. Ministry of Agriculture. (2000). Forest and Nature Conservation Rules of Bhutan 2000. Ministry of Agriculture. Royal Government of Bhutan.
  7. Ministry of Agriculture. (2003).The Biodiversity Act of Bhutan, Royal Government of Bhutan, Bhutan.
  8. Pearce, D. Moran, D. (2009). The Economic Value of Biodiversity, IUCN Earthscan, Sterling, VA, London.

9.    Sodhi, N.S. and Ehrlich, P.R. (2010). Conservation Biology for All. OUP Oxford, London.

  1. Wangchuk, T. Thinley, P, Tshering K., Tshering, C., Yonten, D. and Pema, B. (2004). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Bhutan, Ministry of Agriculture, Bhutan.
  2. Wildlife Conservation Division. (2010). Analysis of the Contributions of Protected Areas to the Social and Economic Development of Bhutan. Case Study: Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, Ministry of Agriculture. Bhutan.

 

Additional Readings

 

1.    Begon, M, Townsend, C.R. and Harper, JL. (2005) Ecology: From Individual to Ecosystems, 4th Edition, Wiley-Black, USA.

  1. Dolder, W., Pippke U.D. (2009). Endangered Animal Species Facing Extinction, And the Threats to Their Habitats, Parragon Publishing, UK.

3.    Gurung D.B. (2005). Orchids of Bhutan, DSB Books Enterprises, Thimphu, Bhutan.

4.    International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development. (2010). Climate Change Vulnerability of Mountain Ecosystems in the Eastern Himalayas, ICIMOD, Kathmandu, Nepal.

5.     Ives, J. D and Messerli B. (1989). The Himalyan Dilemma, Reconciling Development and Conservation, United Nations University Press, Routledge, London, ,Tokyo, New York

6.    Kumar, H. D. (1999). Biodiversity & Sustainable Conservation. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi

7.    Ministry of Agriculture. (2009). Pteridophytes of Bhutan, A list of Families , Genera and Species, Published by National Biodiversity Centre, Printed at Kuensel Corporation, Thimphu

8.    Namgyel, T., Tenzin,K.. (2009). A photo Guide to Flowers of Bhutan, Published by WWF Bhutan, Thimphu

9.    National Statistics Bureau. (2013). Bhutan's Case: Social capital, Household Welfare and Happiness, Monograph No 5. Published by NSB, Bhutan.

10.  Odum, E.P. (2004). Fundamentals of Ecology (5th Edition) Cengage learning, Boston, USA and Australia.

11.  Pradhan, R. (1999). Rhododendrons of Bhutan, Quality printers Pvt Ltd, Kathmandu, Nepal.

12.  Riordan, T. O & Stoll-Kleeman, S.. (2002). Biodiversity, Sustainability and Human Communities Protecting Beyond the Protected. Cambridge University Press. U.K.

  1. Stainton, A. (2010). Flowers of the Himalayas: A Supplement, Oxford University press, New Delhi.

 

Date last updated: May 30, 2015

 
Royal Thimphu College