NIGK14052U Landscape and Restoration Ecology

Volume 2023/2024
Education

MSc Programme in Environmental Science
MSc Programme in Landscape Architecture
MSc Programme in Nature Management

Content

The Landscape and Restoration Ecology course cover the following topics:

  • Landscape attributes; geology, terrain, hydrology, land cover and the technosphere.
  • Landscape patterns and structure; 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.
  • Structural-functional interrelationships; species dispersal 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 evaluation, restoration policy.
  • Ecological restoration; forests, mires, heat-lands, meadows, 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 basic concepts and the main theories of landscape ecology.
  • Know general theories and all basic concepts of restoration ecology.
  • Know and have been trained in 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

After the course the participants will be able to:

  • Synthesize attributes into unique ecotopes, aggregate ecotopes into chores, and segregate landscapes into chores and ecotopes.
  • Transfer the Island–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.
  • 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 and evaluation of restored ecosystems.

Selected scientific papers and textbook on Restoration Ecology.

Students should have basic knowledge in systems ecology.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
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 responsibles.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 38
  • Preparation
  • 102
  • Theory exercises
  • 32
  • Practical exercises
  • 10
  • Excursions
  • 24
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 20 minutes
Type of assessment details
The students draw a question related to the curriculum, 20 minutes preparation time.
Exam registration requirements

Active participation in at least 75 % of exercise activities.

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners.
Re-exam

 

Identical to ordinary exam.

 

Students, who have not met the examination registration requirements will  have to hand in a written assignment, 10 pages, prior to the re-examination week. After approval of the written assigment, the student is eligable to particpate in the re-examination. The topic of the written assignment will be handed out by the course responsible at latetst one week after re-examination registration.

 

Criteria for exam assesment

fulfilment of learning outcome.