LBIF10176U Conservation and Management of Genetic Resources

Volume 2013/2014
Education
Erasmus Mundus - Agris Mundus
MSc Programme in Agriculture
Content
Evolution and dynamics of biodiversity:
Evolution of diversity at the species, population and individual level; population dynamics and corresponding genetic processes; ecological processes and adaptation; ecotypes; resistance and co-evolution between plants and associated pests; inbreeding, genetic drift, and erosion; domestication and early improvement of crop and forest plants

Genetic resources and their use:
Characterisation of genetic resources for domestication, breeding and cultivation; introduction to breeding methods applied in crop and tree breeding, and their implications for management of genetic resources.

Management and conservation
Effect of land use, agriculture, forestry, breeding, and biotechnology on biodiversity and genetic resources, ex-situ, in-situ, dynamic, and static methods for conservation of genetic resources; management of gene banks and gene conservation reserves.

Genetic resources and climate change
The role of genetic resources in relation to climate change. Aspects of assisted migration and increase of adaptive potential towards extreme climatic events;  new pests and pathogens. 

A broad range of genetic resources will be included in the course, ranging from wild plants and relatives of cultivated plants, landraces and old varieties. The cases include forest trees, horticultural and agricultural crops from both tropical and temperate conditions.
Learning Outcome

The objective include providing an overview of the importance of genetic resources and how natural and human-induced processes create and erode these, to discuss how loss of genetic diversity can be predicted, characterized,  measured and avoided, to discuss gene conservation as part of integrated biodiversity conservation, and to present and discuss sustainable strategies for management and conservation of genetic resources.  

After completing the course the student should be able to:
Knowledge
- Identify natural and human processes creating and eroding biodiversity and genetic resources.
- Describe domestication regions of major agricultural and horticultural crops.
- Overview methods to characterize, use, conserve, and manage biodiversity and genetic resources.
- Reflect about ethical values associated with biodiversity and genetic resources.
Skills
- Demonstrate an overview of the topics presented and discussed in the course.
- Present and discuss contents of selected scientific articles within the subject. field.
- Participate in discussions of presentations during the course.
- Communicate in writing the results of an analysis of a selected topic within the subject field.
Competences
- Apply theory to cases of biodiversity and genetic resource concern.
- Ability to predict and assess risks of genetic degradation and develop plans for sustainable use and/or conservation. 
- Make ethical considerations related to conservation and use of biodiversity and genetic resources for present and future generations.
- Evaluate the importance of genetic resources in relation to adaptation to climate change.

Literature
Selected scientific papers, book chapters, and case studies will read during the course.
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Basic genetic course
The course will combine lectures, presentations and discussions of scientific articles, group exercises, excursions, and project work with individually chosen topic. Students will produce a synopsis and short oral presentation on the topic of their project. Resource persons with expertise in specialized topics (e.g. from Nordic Gene bank and The Danish Nature Agency) will give guest lectures.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 4
  • Lectures
  • 35
  • Preparation
  • 61
  • Project work
  • 40
  • Theory exercises
  • 66
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
Written assignment
Description of Examination: Two smaller written 1 hour exams during the course (66%). Synopsis and presentation of own project (34%).
Exam registration requirements
Submission of project synopsis based on project work.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Flere interne bedømmere
Re-exam
l
Criteria for exam assesment
Evaluation in relation to expected learning outcome of the course