NIGK14000U Conservation and Management of Genetic Resources
Erasmus Mundus – Agris Mundus
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.
Ecosystem restoration.
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.
The objectives 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.
Selected scientific papers, book chapters, and case studies will read during the course.
- Category
- Hours
- Exam
- 4
- Lectures
- 35
- Preparation
- 61
- Project work
- 40
- Theory exercises
- 66
- Total
- 206
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- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Continuous assessment under invigilationWritten assignment under invigilationDescription 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
- Only certain aids allowed
Selected scientific papers and book chapters
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Flere interne bedømmere
- Re-exam
- Oral reexamination
Criteria for exam assesment
Evaluation in relation to expected learning outcome of the course
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- NIGK14000U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 4
- Schedule
- A (Tues 8-12 + Thurs 8-17)
- Course capacity
- 40
- Continuing and further education
- Study board
- Study Board of Natural Resources and Environment
Contracting departments
- Department of Geoscience and Natural Resource Management
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Course responsibles
- Lene Rostgaard Nielsen (4-71777473456e6c7333707a336970)
Lecturers
Erik Dahl Kjær
Brian Grout
Thure Hauser