Biodiversity is an internationally recognized political and societal issue.
There is a clear link between biodiversity and cultural diversity, in particular with respect to the preservation of genetic resources for our food and fiber crops. Indigenous human populations in tropical rain forests and agricultural settings contribute to conservation of biodiversity. In this course we want students to develop knowledge of and appreciation for the diversity of life on earth, and the importance of biodiversity for human health and welfare. We want students to be able to critically analyze popular scientific articles on biodiversity and conservation of biological resources affecting societal issues. Students need to indicate in a term paper what they would do personally to contribute to enhance biodiversity.