This course is designed as an introduction to biodiversity for members of the species most responsible for the current biodiversity crisis.
Humans stand at a curious position at the end of the twentieth century.
We now have formidable molecular, computational and technological tools with which to examine the natural world. Yet we do not know to within an order of magnitude how many species share the planet with us. Quantifying the extent of Earth's biodiversity, understanding the forces that maintain and produce biodiversity and finding new ways of conserving biodiversity is probably the major scientific challenge facing humans at the present time. Meeting this challenge effectively will directly effect the quality of life on Earth. The course will consist of 24 lectures, weekly precepts and laboratory which will allow students to explore the conflicts that arise between different groups of people who wish to either preserve species or to develop habitat and other natural resources for their own economic needs.