BISC 419

WILDLIFE BIOLOGY

03-1

INSTRUCTOR: Alton Harestad

Office: SSB8153

Telephone: 604 291-4809

Email: harestad@sfu.ca

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PREREQUISITES: BISC 304, BISC 316 recommended

DESCRIPTION:

The primary objectives of BISC 419 are to examine principles of wildlife biology and study wildlife-habitat relationships. In lectures, requirements (energy, nutrients, water, cover, and space) and habitats of wildlife are treated in detail. Principles of population growth and regulation are reviewed to understand the dynamics of wildlife populations and their implications to conservation biology. Ecology and behaviour are studied to interpret the biological bases that determine the ways wildlife respond to forestry, agricultural, and recreational practices. Principles of conservation biology are reviewed in the context of forest practices, wildlife populations and biodiversity. Management and conservation of wildlife and their habitats are discussed with emphasis on mammals and birds in British Columbia. In laboratory sessions, students learn to identify selected species of mammals and birds in British Columbia. Methods of assessing wildlife populations and their habitats are examined. Techniques used to study wildlife are discussed.

LECTURE TEXTBOOK:

Bolen, E. and W. Robinson. 2003. Wildlife Ecology and Management. 5th Edition. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. (NOT required)

EXAMS and MARK ALLOCATIONS:

Lecture:

60%

Laboratory:

40%

Midterm Exam 18%

Lab Exam 15%

Final Exam 32%

Lab Assignments 25%

Problem Analysis 10%

Lectures begin in week of January 2-3, 2003.

Laboratory sessions begin in week of January 6-10, 2003.