Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring Course
We are not currently offering this course.
More than 40 internationally recognized instructors and speakers will teach you the latest methodologies and approaches to biodiversity assessment and monitoring. This intensive three-week course is a must for resource managers, ecologists, biologists, environmental educators and consultants. Learning is hands-on through lectures, fieldwork, laboratory analyses, and report preparation. Case studies from Peru, Canada, Southeast Asia, and Africa highlight real-world applications of the tools taught. Participants are encouraged to network and share their own knowledge and experiences.
Participants
This course is designed for resource managers, ecologists, biologists, environmental educators, graduate students, consultants, and others who would benefit from knowledge of biodiversity monitoring. This is an international course with English as the written and spoken language.
Instructors
More than 30 internationally recognized instructors and speakers lead the courses, incorporating up-to-date methodologies and approaches as they share their expertise.
Investment
This three-week course costs US $3,350, which includes tuition, course materials, lodging and meals, and local transportation. Health insurance and travel to and from the course location are not included.
Topics and Format of Course
The course integrates a variety of learning methods, including content presentations on a number of subjects, fieldwork, laboratory analysis, report preparations, group work and case studies. The course is taught in eight modules and includes an introduction to Geographic Information Systems and ecological statistics. The eight modules are:
- Framework
A framework for biodiversity assessment and monitoring; global biodiversity issues; background information on Geographical Information Systems (GIS), information management and statistics - Vegetation
Forest dynamics using biodiversity plots; methodology and application of modified Whittaker plots, gentry transects, and one-hectare plots; plant taxonomy and collection; data processing and analysis - Arthropods
Importance of terrestrial arthropods in monitoring; sampling protocols, including pan and pitfall traps, malaise traps, Berlese funnel, nets and black lighting; sorting and identifying samples; analysis of data - Aquatic/Marine Systems
Diversity of aquatic or marine organisms; indices of biotic integrity; chemical and physical water quality; sampling protocols; collection and identification; data processing and analysis; management strategies - Amphibians/Reptiles
Life cycles and diversity; declining populations and global networks; sampling methods, including drift fences, transects, plots, artificial cover objects, night collection; habitat assessment; collection and identification; mark and recapture; data processing and analysis - Birds
Needs assessment; endangered birds; bird census techniques; Visual and call identification; behavioral observations; spot mapping; nest searching; point counts and transects; mistnetting; radio telemetry; area search and habitat description - Mammals
Mammal diversity and habitat; sampling protocols for bats, small mammals and large mammals; trapping and marking; radio telemetry; use of scat, calls and scents; management of populations - Integration
Project planning; proposal writing; presentation skills; environmental education; partnerships and use of volunteers; group project
