Course CodeBEN205Fee CodeS3Duration (approx)100 hoursQualificationTo obtain formal documentation the optional exam(s) must be completed which will incur an additional fee of £30. Alternatively, a letter of completion may be requested. Learn to manage wildlife. Learn to manage wildlife in the garden. Control animals that damage the landscape. Manage wildlife populations at sustainable levels From a Tutor and Course Writer: "ACS provides an excellent range of courses in the field of environmental studies. The study material is comprehensive and grounded in real world experiences. Our courses have this edge over other courses as students are applying their knowledge in set tasks and problem-based learning projects." - Jane Thompson, ACS Tutor Lesson Structure There are 9 lessons in this course: Introduction to Wildlife Management What is Wildlife Management Approaches to Wildlife Management (Preservation, Conservation, Management) Purpose of Wildlife Management Goals Decision Making (Who makes decisions, Making good decisions) Needs of Wildlife What’s a Good Habitat Limiting factor Carrying capacity Landscape Fragmentation Habitat Diversity Arrangement Biological Control Integrated Pest Management Wildlife Ecology Ecology (Mutualism, Commensalisms, Competition, Predation, parasitism, herbivoury) Behavioural Ecology Population Ecology Community Ecology Ecosystem Ecology Interactions within a Community Competition Predation Parasitism Commensalism Mutualism The Food Web (Derital Web, Grazing Web, Trophic Levels) Energy Flow Imbalances Wildlife Habitats Introduction Classification of Habitats Biomes, Ecosystems, Microclimates Timbered Biomes (Boreal Forest/ Taiga, Temperate Forest, Tropical Forest, Woodland) Scrubland Tropical Savannah Temperate Grassland Artic Tundra Alpine Semi-desert Desert Man Made Biomes (Urban, Agricultural) Wet Biomes (Mangrove, Rivers, Benthos, Pelagic, Continental Shelf, Coral Reef, Animal Use of Features in Biomes (Trees, Logs, Surface Rocks and Ground Cover, Creeks, Wetlands and Dams) Case Studies Changes to Habitats (Physical, Biological, Pollution) Water for Wildlife Siting Water Points Managing Trees Deforestation Afforestation Population Dynamics Populations Birth or Fecundity Rate Death or Mortality Rate Growth Rate Life Tables Cohort or Dynamic Life Tables (Age Specific) Static or Time Specific Life Tables Rodents Squirrels Rabbits Mosquitoes Grasshoppers Case Studies of different animals in different countries Carrying Capacity Introduction Exponential Population Growth What is Carrying Capacity Fisheries stock management (stock Identification, assessment, biomass) Stock Management Methods Wildlife Censuses Introduction and census types Total Counts Sampling (Simple Random, Stratified Random, Systemic, Two Stage, Double sampling) Accuracy vs Precision Bias Errors Aerial Surveys Trapping Transects Indirect Methods Mark-Recapture method Roadside and Call Counts Mapping Sampling methods for specific types of animals (ie. Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, Invertebrates, Mammals etc.) Animal Ethics Case Study Wildlife Management Techniques Habitat Modification Fire Vegetation Management Predator Control Habitat Features Seeding Population Monitoring Captive Breeding and Release Culling and Cropping Control of pest or undesirable wildlife species Control Objectives Efficts of Control Control Techniques (Manipulating mortality, fertility, Genetiv Engineering, indirect methods) Wildlife Management Law and Administration Policy and Wildlife Law International Environmental Law Treaties International Customary Laws Hard vs Soft Law Domestic/National Law Evolving Domestic Law Sources of Legislation Environmental Ethics Enforcement Wildlife Management Case Study Research Project Problem Based Learning Project with following aims: Identify the objectives of a management program for an endangered species. Determine appropriate techniques for carrying out a census of an endangered species. Identify techniques for increasing the population of the endangered species. Identify pest species and their undesirable effect on the endangered species of bird. Identify techniques for reducing the undesirable impacts of the pest species on the endangered bird. Present a management plan in a form that is appropriate for use by wildlife workers. Aims Develop a concept of how man manages wildlife populations in different situations around the world. Understand and discuss the principles of wildlife ecology. Understand wildlife habitats and their importance to managing wildlife. Explain how populations of any one species change and adapt to variations in their environment. Understand carrying capacity and its importance in managing wildlife populations. Explain a range of different methods used to determine the number of individuals in a wildlife population. Discuss a range of different wildlife management techniques. Explain potentials and limitations of legal and administrative initiatives, in the pursuance of more effective wildlife management. Examine a specific wildlife management case of interest to the student.