LBIA10209U Landscape and Restoration Ecology

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Nature Management (Landscape, Biodiversity and Planning)
Bacheloruddannelsen i naturressourcer
MSc Programme in Agriculture
MSc Programme in Landscape Architecture
Content

Landscape attributes; geology, terrain, hydrology, land cover and the technosphere.

Landscape patterns and structures; types of configuration of ecotopes and elements on the earth surface. Aggregation of ecotopes in chores.

Landscape function; Fluxes of energy, matter and genes. Isolation and contact, the concept of systems.

Multifunctional landscapes; Ecological function, land use related functions and services, transcending functions - designated and perceived landscapes.

Structure-function interrelationships; interrelationships between structure and function, species movement in landscapes, island biogeography: patch-corridor-matrix as a landscape model.

Landscape dynamics and change; Causes behind changes, stability, resistance and resilience.

Restoration Ecology; basic concepts, forms of degradation, restoration goals, trajectory, monitoring and appraisal, restoration policy.

Ecological restoration; forests, mires, heat-lands, meadows, coast-lands, invasive species, manipulation of the environment, e.g. soils, manipulation of biota, e.g. re-introduction.

Learning Outcome

Landscape and Restoration Ecology deals with causes and consequences of landscape variation and why and how to restore damaged ecosystems. The course provides important input to the management of ecosystems and landscapes. Dispersal, distribution and manipulation of plants and animals, regulation of pollutants from farms and cities are examples of the subjects dealt with in the course.

 

Knowledge

 

After the course the participants will

  • Know the main stream European and American schools of Landscape Ecology.
  • Know general theories and all basic concepts of Restoration Ecology
  • Know and have been trained in some of the most common practical methods in landscape ecology and ecological restoration.


Skills

After the course the participants must:

  • Comprehend the landscape as a composition of landscape attributes.
  • Understand landscape patterns – i.e origin of landscapes.
  • Understand impact of man on the development of landscapes.
  • Understand the impact of natural conditions on the landscape.
  • Understand human impact on ecosystems, their transition and methods of restoration
  • Understand the trajectory concepts of ecosystem development



Competences

The participants must be able to:

  • Synthesise attributes into unique ecotopes, aggregate ecotopes into chores, and segregate landscapes into chores and ecotopes.
  • Transfer theIsland– bio – geography model and ecological input-output models to concrete landscapes.
  • Comprehend landscape change, detect and describe changes in landscape patterns. Relate landscape changes to specific attributes.
  • Comprehend the concepts of landscape function and multifunctionality; land use related functions, landscape services and transcending functions.
  • Comprehend the linking of structures with fluxes of matter, energy and genetic information.
  • Analyse how damaged ecosystems can be restored and suggest tools for the restoration process.
  • Manage small restoration projects.
  • Suggest methods for monitoring of restored ecosystems.
Literature
A relevant textbook and selected scientific papers
knowledge in systems ecology
The course is given as a combination of lectures, exercises, and field work. The exercises are performed in small groups under supervision from the course responsible.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Excursions
  • 15
  • Lectures
  • 38
  • Practical exercises
  • 10
  • Preparation
  • 47
  • Project work
  • 60
  • Theory exercises
  • 36
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Portfolio under invigilation
Continuous assessment
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Exam registration requirements
The examination is based on weekly deliverables. 4 of 6 cases must be delivered. Report on field work may substitute one case.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Flere interne bedømmere
Criteria for exam assesment
fulfillment of learning outcome