Conserving biodiversity in the face of pressures such as habitat loss, invasive species and climate change is a challenge facing land managers and policy-makers globally. In this course we explore options for conserving biodiversity. We draw on land managers from different organisations to contribute to the course and prepare students for future employment in this field.
Specifically we investigate:
- Key threats to biodiversity, including habitat modification and loss, unsustainable resource use, invasive species and climate change.
- Management actions that mitigate threats to biodiversity, including selecting nature reserves, connectivity and wildlife corridors, ecosystem restoration and control of pest plants and animals.
- Policies to conserve biodiversity including financial incentives, market-based instruments (e.g. biodiversity offsetting), ecological triage and adaptive management.
There is an emphasis on inquiry-based learning. That is, relating relevant concepts and techniques to real-world situations through: (1) the involvement of working professionals; (2) a series of field-based workshops; and (3) an optional field trip.
This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Articulate why society strives to conserve biodiversity.
- Identify key threats to biodiversity.
- Evaluate which management options are likely to be effective for conserving biodiversity across a wide range of different settings.
- Develop appropriate policy options for conserving biodiversity in different settings.
- Develop innovative strategies for conserving biodiversity.
- Communicate informed critique or analysis of biodiversity conservation policy and practice across a range of mediums.
Work Integrated Learning
Placements
All students engage with WIL partners (internal/external) as a major component of the course
Other Information
There are field trip fees for those who want to attend the optional field trip (payment to ANU Science Shop).
- Field-based teaching and learning activity forms an integral and important part of many courses delivered by the Fenner School of Environment & Society. For this course, this includes field trip. Fieldwork activities are designed to allow you put the skills you’ve learned in the classroom into practice in new environments and provide powerful enrichment to student learning. On this basis, students are strongly encouraged, wherever possible, to participate in scheduled field trips.
If you do not meet the requisites for this course, it may be possible to receive a permission code. If you are prompted for a permission code on ISIS, please request one via this form.
Indicative Assessment
- Workshop quizzes (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Work experience and report (30) [LO 2,3,4,5,6]
- Tutorial facilitation (10) [LO 2,3,4,5,6]
- Exam (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 1 x 1 hour lecture plus 1 x 4 hour workshop per week
- Approximately 70 hours of self directed study which will include preparation for lectures and other assessment tasks.
- One optional field trip. Please see Other Information for additional advice.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
This course includes an optional field trip.
For general information on field trips please visit: https://students.science.anu.edu.au/program-admin/college-science-field-trips
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
There is no text book for this course, but all students are required to read the IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Summary for Policymakers (https://ipbes.net/sites/default/files/inline/files/ipbes_global_assessment_report_summary_for_policymakers.pdf).
Preliminary Reading
Weekly interactive exercises are provided on the Learning Management System site for this course.
Assumed Knowledge
Students from other disciplines with an interest in sustainability but have no background in ecology or natural resource management are encouraged to enrol. Previous completion of ENVS6201 Biodiversity Science: Wildlife, Vegetation and Landscape Ecology is useful for those specialising in this field.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7661 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |