Rolf Holderegger: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2018

Name Prof. Dr. Rolf Holderegger
Address
WSL
Zürcherstrasse 111
8903 Birmensdorf ZH
SWITZERLAND
Telephone044 739 25 27
E-mailrolf.holderegger@usys.ethz.ch
DepartmentEnvironmental Systems Science
RelationshipAdjunct Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
701-0322-00LSeminar with Conservation Practitioners2 credits2SR. Holderegger, K. Bollmann
AbstractIn this seminar, students meet with specialists from practical nature conservation. The students, together with the practitioners, will consider current concepts and problems in nature conservation. Following input-presentations by practitioners, students will discuss and treat relevant problems in more detail.
ObjectiveThe aim of the seminar is to bring students into contact with parctitioners in nature conservation and to consider and discuss current problems of nature conservation in Switzerland.
ContentThe seminar consists of several blocks, each dealing with a separate problem or topic of nature conservation. Each block is introduced by a presentation, and the corresponding themes will subsequently be discussed in more detail in student groups etc. The invited specialists come from national or cantonal authorities, private planning offices, NGOs or from research institutes. Additionally, there is an introduction to techniques for asking questions and a short excursion.
Lecture notesNo script. Diverse material will be made available.
LiteratureNo text book.
Prerequisites / NoticeThis seminar is given in German.
The additional effort of students, in addition to the lecturing hours, is about 2 hours per week.
The evaluation of student activities is an integral part of the seminar.

Teaching form:
This seminar needs the active participation of students! It consists of input talks, group works, presentations, discussions, readings and a short excursion.
701-1450-00LConservation Genetics3 credits4GR. Holderegger, M. Fischer, F. Gugerli
AbstractThe course deals with knowledge in conservation genetics and its practical applications. It introduces the genetic theories of conservation genetics, such as inbreeding depression in small populations or fragmentation. The course also shows how diverse genetic methods are used in conservation management. The course critically discusses the benefits and limits of conservation genetics.
ObjectiveGenetic and evolutionary argumentation is an important feature of conservation biology. The course equips students with knowledge on conservation genetics and its applications in conservation management. The course introduces the main theories of conservation genetics and shows how diverse genetic methods are used in conservation management. The course critically discusses the benefits and limits of conservation genetics. Practical examples from animals and plants are presented.
ContentThere are 4 hours of lectures, presentations and group works per week. Students also have to spend about 3 hours per week on preparatory work for the following week. Every week, one subject will be presented by one of three lecturers.

Overview of themes:
Barcoding, eDNA and genetic monitoring; effects of small population size: genetic drift and inbreeding; neutral and adaptive genetic diversity; hybridization; gene flow, fragmentation and connectivity.

Specific topics:
(1) Species and individual identification: barcoding; eDNA; population size estimation; habitat use and genetic monitoring.
(2) Small population size; bottlenecks; genetic drift; inbreeding and inbreeding depression; effective population size.
(3) Adaptive genetic diversity; neutral and adaptive genetic variation; importance of adaptive genetic diversity; methods to measure adaptive genetic variation.
(4) Hybridization; gene introgression; gene flow across species boundaries.
(5) Half day excursion: practical example of conservation genetics on fragmentation.
(6) Discussion and evaluation of excursion; historical and contemporary gene flow and dispersal; fragmentation and connectivity.
(7) Written examination.
Lecture notesNo script; handouts and material for downloading will be provided.
LiteratureThere is no textbook for this course, but the following books are (partly) recommended:

Allendorf F.W., Luikart G.; Aitken S.N. 2013. Conservation and the Genetics of Populations, 2nd edition. Wiley, Oxford.

Frankham R., Ballou J.D., Briscoe D.A. 2010. Introduction to Conservation Genetics, 2nd edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Prerequisites / NoticeRequirements:
Students must have a good background in genetics as well as in ecology and evolution. The courses "Population and Quantitative Genetics" or "Evolutionary Genetics" should have been attended.

Examination:
A final written examination on the content of the course and an excursion are integral parts of the course.

Teaching forms:
The course needs the active participation of students. It consists of lectures, group works, presentations, discussions, readings and a half-day excursion.