Population Ecology

Population Ecology is a quantitative field that through theoretical and empirical tools attempts to describe intrinsic and extrinsic processes that determine how populations change over time.  Intrinsic factors include population structure, rate of change, and life histories; extrinsic factors include environmental variation, interspecific interactions, and anthropogenic perturbations that affect population change.  A comprehensive understanding of populations and how they respond to changing environments forms the basics of conservation biology and wildlife management. This class will explore how concepts of population ecology can be used to inform the conservation and management of natural populations and ecosystems. We will emphasize practical approaches to problem-solving in ecology, conservation, and wildlife management using simulation models and inferential statistics. Topics will include Population Viability Analysis (PVA), metapopulations, species interactions, threats to wild populations, wildlife management and more. Laboratory exercises will provide hands-on experience with wildlife population models and their practical applications in wildlife ecology and management.