LSLS10089U Urban Ecology and Wildlife Management in populated areas (Nordnatur)

Volume 2013/2014
Education
Skov- og landskabsingeniør
Content

The objectives of the course are to give a basic and advanced knowledge to understand the complexities of managing wildlife in urban environments and to organize a professional advisory input to the management and conservation process. By bringing together students from several studies and from different countries, it will be possible to create groups of professional and personal networks of professionals with a shared interest. Such networks can create a stimulating environment for further development of urban wildlife conservation and management in a wider scope than the course’s immediate objectives.

The course will focus on:

-   The effect of urbanization and land use on wildlife.

-   Wildlife ecology and behavior in urban and fragmented landscapes.

-   The legal and institutional framework for wildlife management and conservation.

-   Human-wildlife conflicts in relation to infrastructure.

-   Carnivore predators in urban environments.

-   Wildlife diseases and risks in urban environments.

-   Disturbances of wildlife in relation to public access, outdoor recreational activities and agriculture.

-   Hunting interests and habitat management.

-   Wildlife conservation and habitat restoration in urban and densely populated areas.

Learning Outcome

After completing the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge 

-   Describe the major ecological effects of urbanization and land use on wildlife in urban and densely populated areas.

-   Present the legal and institutional framework and for wildlife management.

-   Identify human-wildlife conflicts related to disturbance, transportation, nuisance, disease and commercial interests.

-   Describe the challenges in management and conservation of wildlife resources in urban environments.

Skills

-   Identify relevant public and private stakeholders in specific cases of wildlife management.

-   Apply suitable tools to assist in wildlife management and conservation of ecosystems in densely populated areas.

-   Explain and communicate solutions to solve, mitigate and balance conflicts between societal and conservation needs in the field of wildlife management in urban and densely populated areas.

 

Competences

-   Transfer theoretical knowledge within wildlife management into practical wildlife management.

-   Cooperate professionally with governmental, NGO, and private stakeholders.

-   Analyse and discuss instruments and actions in wildlife management from ethical and political perspectives. 

The course combines lectures, case presentations, group discussions, theoretical and practical field exercises, excursions and a group project work with a chosen topic. As conclusion of the course the students will produce a project synopsis and an oral presentation of their topic, including an introduction to a debate within the class.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Excursions
  • 32
  • Exercises
  • 10
  • Field Work
  • 5
  • Lectures
  • 30
  • Preparation
  • 30
  • Project work
  • 30
  • Total
  • 137
Credit
5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Portfolio
Written portfolio
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
Criteria for exam assesment
See learning outcome