Biodiversity & Conservation

Evolution for Beginners

Introduction to the concepts that compose the scientific theory of evolution. Emphasis will be given on existence and recognition of variation in populations of organisms, how natural selection works to give rise to adaptations, species organisms and the great biological diversity. Will include some practical exercises on adaptation and natural selection and examination of some fossil specimens. The course is beneficial to college students and general biology teachers.

• Schedule: by arrangement
• Fees: Client to request proposal based on number of participants
• Min. no. of participants: 15
• Coordinator: Florante Cruz
• Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Venue: MNH  Bldg., UPLB  or can be arranged

Getting to Know the Spiders

Spiders make up a considerable portion of the Philippine fauna but little is known about them. This course provides basic information on studying, collecting, preserving and identifying spiders through lectures and brief field trip. Target course participants are high school and elementary science teachers, eco-tourism coordinators, college students and hobbyists.

• Schedule: By arrangement
• Fees: Client to request proposal based on number of participants
• Min. no. of participants: 15
• Coordinator: Florante Cruz
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Venue: MNH Bldg., UPLB or can be arranged

Methods in Monitoring Biodiversity

Lecture and laboratory activities focused on biodiversity monitoring methodologies. Visits to various ecosystem types within the UPLB campus will be arranged.

• Date and duration: July 2-6, 2018, 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (also available upon request)
• Venue: Plant Systematics Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, CAS-UPLB
• Course fee: PhP 2,500; exclusive of accommodation
• Coordinator: Inocencio E. Buot Jr
• Email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Contact numbers: 536-2807/ 09175431438
• Minimum no. of participants: 10

Quantitative and Spatial Parasitology: Spatial Dimensions and its Application in Epidemiology and Ecology

The distributions of parasitic diseases are determined by complex factors, including many that are distributed in space. A variety of statistical methods are now readily accessible to researchers providing opportunities for describing and ultimately understanding and predicting spatial distributions. This short course provides an overview of the quantitative and mapping tools available to parasitologists, ecologists and epidemiologists. Lectures will also be included for new insights into the ecology and epidemiology of parasite infections and diseases. The short course is structured into three branches: statistics, mapping, and modelling. This 5-day training course aims to equip professionals, researchers, and students with the necessary knowledge and skills on spatial dimensions of parasitology and its application in ecology.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• To demonstrate selected statistical, mapping, and modelling tools for ecological and epidemiological data;
• To perform the various tools for ecological and epidemiological interpretations; and
• To evaluate the ecological and epidemiological significance of spatial parasitology and ecology; and apply these concepts in relation to environment, human, and animal health.

COURSE ACTIVITIES

• Intensive laboratory-based course
• Lectures/discussions, videos and films, digital tools

CORE ACTIVITIES ARE:

• Lectures and discussions
• Hands-on laboratory activities on selected statistical , mapping, and modelling tools (Laptop, at least CORE i3)
• Digital geometric morphometrics

LECTURE TOPICS

• Parasite biodiversity: relevance to human and environmental health, and conservation
• Spatial Dimensions of Parasitology: Implications to Epidemiology
• Biomathematical Modelling of Host-Parasite Systems
• Basic statistical methods for parasitological data
• Application of Quantum GIS for ecological and parasitological interpretations
• Quantitative Morphological Analyses of Parasites and Hosts

PARTICIPANTS

This training course targets individuals such as teachers, ecologists, epidemiologists, environmental scientists, and researchers. A maximum of 20 participants in a 5-day training course will be accommodated. Training kits and certificates will be provided to the participants. Training kits will include handouts and writing materials. Lunch and snacks will also be provided during the training activity. Participants shall shoulder other meals outside the training schedule, transportation, and accommodation cost during the 5-day training.

• Venue: Animal Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences
• Dates: 1-5 July 2019
• Proponent: Dr. Vachel Gay V. Paller
• Partners: Institute of Biological Sciences; Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension; UPLB Foundation Inc.

Training Course on Zoological Techniques: Capacity building on collection and preservation of selected vertebrate and invertebrate systems

Zoological specimens are the most easily perishable objects. They require special care and attention. Scientific knowledge and skills are essential for the proper identification and preservation of animal specimens. There are various modes and techniques to prepare biological specimens for teaching and research purposes, however, scientific knowledge and skills are lacking. In the advent of K-12 education, there is a need to further hone our teachers and researchers, both in the secondary and tertiary levels, to promote an outcome-based education in the biological sciences. This 5-day training course on zoological techniques aims to equip professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills on the collection, processing, and preservation of selected vertebrate and invertebrate systems.

Course objectives

• To perform various laboratory procedures for proper collection and identification of selected animal groups;
• To demonstrate specific methods and procedures for preservation and processing of selected animal specimens; and
• To evaluate the ecological significance of animal diversity, and apply these concepts in relation to environment, human health, and conservation issues.

Course activities

• Intensive laboratory-based course
• Lectures/discussions, videos and films, digital tools
• Core activities are: Lectures and discussions, Hands-on laboratory activities on collection and preservation of selected animal samples, Digital geometric morphometrics, and Field activities

Lecture Topics

• Philippine fauna: a call for conservation and management
• Collecting biological specimens: essential to science and conservation
• Polyphasic species identification of animals
• Understudied invertebrate fauna: neglected but not forgotten
• Parasite biodiversity: relevance to human and environmental health, and conservation

Laboratory Activities

• Collection and preservation from the wild
• Collection and isolation from environmental samples (soil, water, plants, etc)
• Digital Geometric Morphometrics (laptop required)
• Taxidermy
• Herping and bird watching in Mount Makiling
• Permanent mount slide preparations of selected invertebrates
• Macrobenthic fauna in aquatic ecosystems

• Date: July 3-7, 2017
• Fee: P6,000.00 (inclusive of lunch and snacks)
• Minimum number of participants: 15
• Course Coordinator: Vachel Gay V. Paller, PhD (Head, Animal Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, UPLB
• Training Coordinator (module): Modesto Z. Bandal, Jr.
• Contact Numbers: +63-928-351-6174; +63-917-642-1266; (049) 536-2843
• Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Venue: Animal Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, UPLB