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Conservation Genetics
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:41:02
Abstract
The course deals with conservation genetics and its practical applications. It introduces the genetic theories of conservation genetics, such as inbreeding depression in small populations or fragmentation. The course also shows how genetic methods such as eDNA and metabarcoding are used in conservation management, and it critically discusses the benefits and limits of conservation genetics.
Objective
Genetic and evolutionary argumentation is an important feature of conservation biology. The course equips students with knowledge on conservation genetics and its applications in conservation management. The course introduces the main theories of conservation genetics and shows how genetic methods are used in conservation management, and it critically discusses the benefits and limits of conservation genetics. Practical examples dealing with animals and plants are presented.
Content
There are 4 hours of lectures, presentations and group work per week. Students also have to spend about 3 hours per week on preparatory work for the following week. Every week, one subject will be presented by one of three lecturers. Overview of themes: Barcoding, eDNA metabarcoding and genetic monitoring; effects of small population size, genetic drift and inbreeding; neutral and adaptive genetic diversity; hybridization; gene flow, fragmentation and connectivity. Specific topics: (1) Species and individual identification: barcoding; metabarcoding; eDNA; estimation of census population size; habitat use and genetic monitoring. (2) Small population size; bottlenecks; genetic drift; inbreeding and inbreeding depression; effective population size. (3) Adaptive genetic diversity; neutral and adaptive genetic variation; importance of adaptive genetic diversity; methods to measure adaptive genetic variation. (4) Hybridization; gene introgression; gene flow across species boundaries. (5) Half day excursion: practical example of conservation genetics on fragmentation. (6) Discussion and evaluation of excursion; historical and contemporary gene flow and dispersal; fragmentation and connectivity. (7) Written examination.
Resources
Lecture Notes
No script; handouts and material for downloading will be provided.
Literature
There is no textbook for this course, but the following books are recommended: Allendorf F.W., Luikart G.; Aitken S.N. 2013. Conservation and the Genetics of Populations, 2nd edition. Wiley, Oxford. Frankham R., Ballou J.D., Briscoe D.A. 2010. Introduction to Conservation Genetics, 2nd edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. The following book and booklets in German are targeted to conservation professionals: Holderegger R., Segelbacher G. (eds.). 2016. Naturschutzgenetik. Ein Handbuch für die Praxis. Haupt, Bern. Csencsics D., Gugerli F. 2017. Naturschutzgenetik. WSl Berichte 60: 1-82 (free download: https://www.wsl.ch/de/publikationensuchen/wsl-berichte.html )
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DR , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Conservation Genetics |
|
60 h semesterly |
Offered In
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Doctoral Department of Environmental Sciences (More Information at: )
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