Study for 416 Final Exam Questions will have a broad scope Think and make connections Answers will not depend on very specific pieces of knowledge Everything in lectures, discussions, newspapers, field trips is relevant Focus on key issues (discussion questions on web site)

The Key Issues Biodiversity and its loss Mechanisms driving losses of species and populations Ecosystem-level issues Economic and ethical considerations Global human ecology Laws and international agreements

Exam Format Two sections (4 + questions) Choose one question from each section Two and a half hours to write

Kinds of Questions A field trip-based question A “decision maker” question Data/issue-based questions Integrative questions

“Decision-maker” Question You are the new superintendent of the Gulf Islands National Park –Information about park is provided + map Devise a park management plan for the next 5 years, considering: –Habitat conservation issues –Land use –Services to park visitors –Concerns of local residents –Other factors you consider important

“Field Trip” Question Class field trips visited sites in the: –Southern Gulf Islands –Lower mainland –Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys Highlight the conservation issue raised by the trip to ONE of these regions

Issue-based Question The Seychelles magpie robin, endemic to the archipelago, occurs only on 3 islands: –Fregate (210 ha., 85 birds) –Cousin (25 ha., 23 birds) –Cousine (25 ha., 15 birds) Managed by supplemental feeding, cat control, and translocation (to Cousins) Translocation attempts to 4 th island (Aride) have failed Rats invade Fregate in 1995

Issue-based question (2) Rats invade Fregate in 1995 Fledglings Raised/Year (% of nests succeeding) Fed pairs Unfed Pairs Before invasion 1.40 (52) 0.20 (24) After invasion 0.30 (34) 0.66 (45)

Issue-based question (3) What did rat invasion do to the viability of the Fregate population? What else would you like to know to be more sure of your conclusion? A hurricane struck Cousin and Cousine in 2002, damaging native forests there severely State your priorities for future management of the Magpie Robin?

Strategies for Answers Think and plan for 15 minutes/ question Interpret any data/information provided Answer any specific questions Be brief and on topic

Formatting Your Answers Provide relevant information –No clutter –More isn’t always better Make it easy for the reader; clarity of thought over elegance of style –Use point format –Short form answers –Organize material into related sections