INSTRUCTOR: Alton Harestad (Email: harestad@sfu.ca)                    OFFICE: SSB 8153

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 which determine the ways that 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. 1998. Wildlife Ecology and Management. 4th 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%

Laboratory sessions begin in week of 11-15 January.