Instructor: Robert C. Whitmore, Ph.D. Professor of Wildlife Ecology

1. Instructor: Robert C. Whitmore, Ph.D.Professor of Wildlife Ecology Office: 312-b Percival Hall Phone: 304-293-3196 email: rwhitmor@wvu.eduOffice Hours- MTWR 8:30 am-noon

2. Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) Textbook: Conservation Biologyby George Cox Customized chapters from the second edition are on sale at the bookstore, you will need to purchase a book

3. Aye-Aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) Additional Readings:accessible on-line through eReserves- please consult our webpage for instructions on how to access to eReserves

4. Course Grading 4 one-hour exams @ 100 points each (keep your 3 best scores) = 300 points 15 in-class attendance quizzes @ 3 points each = 45 points Total Points= 345 90% of 345 = 311 letter grade = A 80% of 345 = 276 letter grade = B 70% of 345 = 242 letter grade = C 60% of 345 = 207 letter grade = D

5. Conservation Biology: the scientific study of biodiversity and its management for sustainable human welfare

6. Important Legislation related to conservation issues Course Topics

7. Alfred Russel Wallace 1823-1913 Charles Robert Darwin 1809-1882 Course Topics Role of Early Naturalists in the Development of the Principleof Natural Selection

8. Herbivore-Plant interactions Course Topics Basic Ecological Principles

9. Herbivore-Carnivore interactions Course Topics Basic Ecological Principles

10. Mudslide caused by clearcut Course Topics Ecosystem Approach to Conservation Issues Willamette National Forest, Oregon, Clearcut

11. Course Topics Conservation of Biodiversity on a global scale...

12. Course Topics Conservaton of biodiversity on a local scale Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

13. Black-footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes) Course Topics Use and Mis-use of the Endangered Species Act

14. Carolina Parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis) Course Topics Extinction as a Natural Process and as a “man-caused” Process

15. Cheetah (Acionyx jubatus) Course Topics Ecology, Conservation and Management of Predators

16. Course Topics Design and Location of Natural Preserves

17. Course Topics Conservation of Genetic Diversity

18. Mauritius Kestrel (Falco punctatus)

19. Sunda Peninsula Tiger (Panthera tigris ssp.)

20. Mute Swan (Cygnas olor) Course Topics Conservation Implications of Exotic and Introduced Species

21. At least once each week we will have a “Case Study” These will feature a species or system that is of importance from a Conservation Biology standpoint

23. Gray Wolf Introduction Yellowstone National Park • Once distributed everywhere north of 20 degrees • North Latitude • Exterminated in over half of their historic range • Now listed as “Endangered” under the Endangered • Species Act • In 1992 there were about 50,000 in Eurasia, 50,000 in • Canada, 6,000 in Alaska and < 12 in Mexico • In the “Lower 48” United States there were • ~ 1,800 in Minnesota, ~ 40-50 in Wisconsin • ~ 10-18 in Michigan, ~ 30 in Montana and • ~ 6-12 in Idaho

24. Gray Wolf Introduction Yellowstone National Park • Justification for re-introduction consideration 1. Wolves are the single “Missing Link” in the Yellowstone ecosystem 2. Vital to preventing overpopulation of elk, moose, deer 3. Maintain prey population health by removing old or sick animals 4. Keep prey populations below “Carrying Capacity”

25. Gray Wolf Introduction Yellowstone National Park • Gray Wolves were originally found throughout the Rocky Mountain Range and adjacent habitats • Historic locations included both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks • Before implementing a re- introduction program, a series of tough, non-biological, questions should be addressed

27. Also, each week will have an account of a species that has become extinct Dusky Seaside Sparrow (Ammadromus nigrescens)

28. Accounts of eXtinct Species