Species of the Day

Agile Gibbon
(Hylobates agilis)

Sumatra
 Welcome to
Wildlife In the Modern World!
(ESRM 150)
Instructor: Dr. Laura Prugh
Associate Professor of Quantitative Wildlife Sciences
Introduction to your Professor : Laura Prugh
Your TA: Apryle Craig

Apryle@uw.edu

• B.S. Bioengineering University

of Pittsburgh, PA
• M.S. Ecology, Colorado State
University, Colorado
• PhD Candidate Environmental
and Forest Sciences, UW –
Current

Photo from left to right,

PhD Research: Impacts of Apryle the human and Bella
recolonizing wolves on deer in the Blue-headed Pionus
north central Washington parrot
Wildlife Community Ecology
YOUR TURN!
 Wildlife in the Modern World

Purpose of this course:

 To provide you with an introduction to wildlife
biology and conservation:
 Wildlife natural history
 Factors affecting species’ persistence
 Conservation and management efforts
 Case studies / specific examples
 Independent research into wildlife issues
Class Culture
• This is a large, diverse class: many backgrounds, races,
religions, political viewpoints
• We will talk about some controversial topics
• Our goal is to foster a safe, inclusive environment
• You should feel empowered to voice your opinion
• You should respect other people’s opinions
• Video/mic off during lectures, interact via chat
• Restrict chat use to appropriate questions/comments
• May unmute to answer a question/elaborate
• Video should be on during discussions to simulate in-
person convos
• If you are bothered by something that happens in this
class, please let us know!
Class Culture
• We care!
• Use our office hours
• Laura: W 2:30-3:30
• Apryle: M 10:30-11:30
• Opportunity for 1-on-1 interaction
• Waiting room will be enabled
 Tips for Paying Attention To Zoom
Lectures
1. TAKE NOTES!!!
2. Stand up and move around occasionally
3. Use superhuman willpower to NOT do other
stuff on computer
4. Other ideas???
 Course Website

UW Canvas

Let’s take a quick tour!

 Grading
Two exams (no final!) (2x150 points = 300)
Species of the day (10x4 points = 40)
Daily lecture quizzes (42 points = 42)
In-class “5-minute essays” (2x5 points = 10)
Discussion participation (8x16 points = 128)
Wildlife paper (1x80 points = 80)
Peer reviews (2x10 points = 20)

Total = 620 points

Plus extra credit: Nature Watch assignment (10 pts)
 Exams
• 2 Exams, non-cumulative
• No Final Exam
• Multiple choice, T/F, matching
• 50 min timed Canvas quizzes
• May be taken asynchronously: available 24h
starting at scheduled exam time
• Open book—you can consult notes, internet, but
not other people
• Exams preceded by in-class review
 Lectures

• Lectures 1:30-2:20 MWF

• May be attended
asynchronously…
• But recommend
synchronous if you can!
• PDFs of lecture slides
posted on Canvas prior to
lectures
• Recordings available after
each lecture
• Guest lecture material will
also be on exams!
 Lecture Quizzes

• Timed Canvas quiz available for

24h at end of each lecture
• Gives you and me immediate
feedback about your
understanding of lecture material
• Quizzes may also include
questions about readings (note:
readings are due PRIOR to
lecture!)
• No makeups without
PREapproval
 Lecture / 5-Minute Essays

• Will happen twice during the quarter

• Essays demonstrating that you were engaged
in the day’s lecture will get full credit
• Will be in place of lecture quiz on those days
 Species of the Day

• Introduced to new animal at start of every

class
• Choose 4 species over the quarter to
write a short account, submit to Canvas
• Where found
• Species’ adaptations to habitat
• Interactions with other species
• Conservation issues
• Cool facts
• Personal experiences
 Species of the Day

• Introduced to new animal at start of every

class
• Choose 4 species over the quarter to
write a short account, submit to Canvas
• Where found
• Species’ adaptations to habitat
MANDATORY!
• Interactions with other species
• Conservation issues
• Cool facts
• Personal experiences OPTIONAL!
 Species of the Day

• Only comments including a source will be

graded
• Write in your own words (don’t copy and paste,
no quotes!)
• At least two will be due by October 26 at
11:59pm
• The rest will be accepted until 11:59pm on Dec 7
• Can use species from the first part of class for
the later assignments
 Species of the Day

Example: Great comment, but no points– No

relevant info or citations

“I’m from Louisiana and I never knew we had such a rare

snake in our region until I went to the Memphis Zoo in
Tennessee and saw Louisiana pine snakes (Pituophis
ruthveni) there.”
 Species of the Day

Example: No Points – Cut and Paste

“The Louisiana pine snake is a non-venomous

constrictor of the Colubridae family found in the
southeast US. It is large, usually 4-5 feet long; the
largest reported specimen was 5.8 feet long. One-year-
old and two-year-old snakes may reach 2-3 feet and 3-4
feet in total length, respectively. Sexual maturity may be
attained at a minimal total length of 4 feet and an age of
at least three years.”

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/clearlakees/PDF/PINESNAKE.pdf
 Species of the Day

Example: Full credit

Louisiana pine snakes (Pituophis ruthveni) grow to

about 4-5 feet long and are known for producing 5 inch
long eggs, the largest in North America! They use their
coloration to blend into the environment and feed
primarily on pocket gophers. Not surprisingly, the
average clutch size (number of eggs laid) of 3-5 eggs
is also one of the smallest among North American
snakes. The low reproductive rate of this species
leaves its populations vulnerable. The Louisiana pine
snake is currently the rarest species of snake in North
America.
http://www.fws.gov/southwest/clearlakees/PDF/PINESNAKE.pdf
http://www.memphiszoo.org/louisianapinesnake
 Discussion Sections
• Designed to be fun, allow you to
• explore course topics with classmates
• relate course material to current events
• Must be attended synchronously

Sections: AA: M 11:30-12:20

AB: W 9:30-10:20
AC: W 11:30-12:20
AD: F 9:30 - 10:20
AE: M 9:30-10:20 (FIG only)
AF: Th 1:30 - 2:20
 Wildlife Management Paper
• Opinion piece on current, controversial wildlife
management topic
• 4 sections: (1) intro, (2) pros, (3) cons, (4) your opinion
(with justification)
• At least 3 citations from primary literature (i.e., peer-
reviewed scientific journals) needed
• 3-page, double-spaced paper
• 80 pts total
• 5 points for getting topic approved (Oct 16)
• 5 points for paper draft submission (Nov 13)
• 70 points for final paper (Nov 30)
• 2 peer evals on each paper draft (Nov 23)
 Paper Topics

• Good topics:
 Trophy hunting in Africa
 Dam removal for orca/salmon conservation
 Grizzly bear reintroduction in N Cascades
 Wolf control in Canada to save caribou
 Wild horse population control in Nevada
 There are many possibilities!
• Bad topics:
 Save the whales (we all love whales, too
broad)
 Save the elephants (ditto)
 Plagiarism
• Copying work from other people (including
things you find online) is academic misconduct
• Avoid direct quotes: put everything in your own
words!
• SimCheck will be used on writing assignments
(e.g., wildlife paper, species of the day)
• Compares your text to other students and the
internet
• Report indicates % match
• View your SimCheck report before submission!
 Attendance
• Absences need PRE-approval to makeup a
missed discussion section, lecture quiz, or
exam (email me or Apryle!)
• If you miss a discussion without approval, you
may turn in the assignment but will only receive
max 50% credit
 Late Work

• 10% deducted per 24 hours late, starting

immediately after due date/time
• Assignments due at 11:59pm Pacific Time
unless otherwise noted
 I want to know more about you!
Canvas Quiz
1) What is at least one thing you would like me to know
about you?
2) What do you hope to get out of this class?