Conservation genetics

Timetable

15 lectures x 2 hours 

5 seminars x 2 hours 

Module aim (aims)

• Explaining the significance of genetics in nature conservation
• Explaining theory of population and evolutionary genetics applicable for nature conservation
• Presenting applications of genetic technologies in conservation efforts
• Discussing publications illustrating examples of conservation genetic studies

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

Basics in genetics and evolutionary biology 

Syllabus

Lecture 1-2: Introduction to conservation genetics – history, aims, conservation biology and role of new technologies in nature conservation
Lecture 3-4: Basics of genetics and genetic variation in natural populations - what does it mean and how to measure it?
Lecture 5: Hardy-Weinberg Principle
Lecture 6-7: Genetics consequences of small population size – genetic drift and effective population size. 
Lecture 8-9:  enetics consequences of small population size -  inbreeding depression, extinction risk and genetic rescue
Lecture 10-11: Selection and genetic basus of adaptation 
Lecture 12-13: Genetics consequences of population fragmentation, population structure and hybridization
Lecture 14: Genetically viable populations (natural and captive)  
Lecture 15: : Sequencing technologies in species monitoring (barcoding, eDNA, individuals recognition) and molecular tools for saving species in the wild – current usage and future directions

Seminar 1: Discussing examples in the field of conservation genetics, basic calculations and open discussion about potential usage of genetic methods in defined by students issues concerning nature conservation
Seminars 2-5: Discussing examples of scientific articles in the field of conservation genetic 

Reading list

Allendorf et al. Conservation and the Genomics of Populations (third edition). 2022

Frankham R, et al.: Introduction to conservation genetics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2010