BOT270 Nature Mapping

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:Kari Klanderud

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Norsk

Limits of class size:40 students

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:Structured lectures: ca. 110 hours. The students" own contributions in the form of semester assignment and report writing, preparation for lectures and reading for the final exam: ca. 140 hours.

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in June block. This course has teaching/evaluation in June block and in Autumn parallel.

About this course

Fieldwork constitute an important part of the course. The emphasis of the field course is to show different nature types and to explain the ecology underlying those. Group exercises give the students practical experience in mapping different nature types according to the Nature Types in Norway (NiN) classification system. The field course ends with a GIS-lab where the students will produce nature type maps using GIS. During the autumn semester the students continues to work with GIS and attend lectures focusing on NiN, nature type variations and the ecology behind those, use of nature type registrations and modern technology in mapping. The students shall write a term paper on a nature type of the students own choice, it's classification in NiN, ecology and management.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

The student should gain knowledge on Norwegian nature and the land cover class system NiN, the structure, ecology and species composition, diagnostic species of Norwegian nature types and knowledge on variation and distribution of Norwegian nature types. The students shall gain understanding of co variation between nature types and environmental factors. They should also gain knowledge on GIS and how GIS can be used to make good maps of nature types based on NiN.

Skills:

Be able to map, identify and define nature types in the field. They should be able to recognice plant species in the field, collect relevant data, and to use GIS to make maps of nature types and to analyse the data. They should be able to apply knowledge on nature types to describe properties such as soil conditions, hydrology, fertility, endurance ability, extent and type of cultural influence of a given area. Be able to assess consequences of different encroachments in different nature types, with emphasis on biological diversity and sustainable nature management.

General competence:

The course will further develop the students understanding of Norwegian nature diversity and how to document and describe nature by using NiN. Students should be able to plan and carry out data collection in the field. They should be able to plan and carry out tasks that extend over time, both alone and as a participant in a group.

  • Field course over two weeks in June. Teacher-led presentations in the field and student-led mapping tasks in small groups.

    GIS lab with group submission of digitized habitat type maps and mapping report.

    Lectures.

    Semester assignment with presentation during the writing process to promote discussion and feedback between students.

  • Supervision of group projects and term papers will be arranged after agreement with the students.
  • BOT100, ECOL100 or ECOL200 and LAD102.
  • Combined assessment.

    Individual oral exam and term paper count 60% and 40%, respectively. All of the evaluated elements in the course must be passed to pass the course.



    Term paper Grading: Letter grades Permitted aids: A1 No calculator, no other aids Oral exam Grading: Letter grades Permitted aids: A1 No calculator, no other aids
  • An external examiner is used for the oral examination and the term papers.
  • Field course and GIS lab excercises with accepted group report
  • June block: Field course/Day excursions with two overnight stays. Approximately10 days of teaching in total during June. Autumn parallel: Lectures and lab/group work ca. 24 hours.
  • Students enrolled in B-ØN, then M-NF and M-ECOL. Then student with solid knowledge of ecology, botany and GIS.
  • Special requirements in Science