ECOL350 Restoration Ecology

Credits (ECTS):5

Course responsible:John-Arvid Grytnes

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:Lectures: 30 hours. Preparation for presentations and writing term paper: 95 hours.

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in the Spring parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Spring parallel, .

About this course

Human development and wellbeing depend on well-functioning ecosystems. This dependency has become increasingly apparent with the rapid destruction and degradation of ecosystems and their delivery of services. A global engagement is now in motion to improve this situation. This course introduces the philosophies, ecological principles, economics, practical activities, and multidisciplinary aspects involved with ecological restoration. Examples from alpine environments, wetlands, rivers, lakes and streams, coastal systems, forests, and the reintroduction of species are included. Theoretical and practical aspects are discussed within the context of real-life examples from ongoing projects. The course also introduces key human issues involved and tools for designing and performing restoration projects in degraded nature, including issues associated with the United Nations "Sustainable Development Goals" nr 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, og 15.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

Students will gain knowledge about how to evaluate, understand and apply ecological principles towards actions aimed at returning degraded ecosystems back into dynamic, self-functioning systems. This knowledge is transferable til issues associated with the United Nations "Sustainable Development Goals" nr 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, og 15.

Skills:

The student will be able to identify ecosystem degradation, prepare restoration goals and objectives, evaluate and propose specific actions, including social and economic issues, and produce a restoration plan for a given site from an assortment of environments.

General Competence:

The student will after the course be able to address challenges and multidisciplinary aspects, as well as apply ecological theories and practical techniques central in the field of restoration ecology. Writing and presenting a restoration proposal will also provide students with experience and competency in developing a project, preparing professional tender, proposal and application for funding.

Learning activities
Lectures, student presentations, mandatory work assignments, fieldtrip and term paper (prepare and present a restoration plan for a degraded site).
Teaching support
The students can seek academic guidance from course teachers during office hours.
Prerequisites
Ecology courses at intermediate level.
Assessment method
The course is evaluated based on a term paper assignment, which is prepared and presented as a restoration plan for a degraded site.

Term paper Grading: Passed / Not Passed
Examiner scheme
Term paper assignments will be evaluated by an experienced external examiner and the course director.
Mandatory activity
Presentations, work assignments and fieldtrip. Work assignments are mandatory home assignments with questions from the lectures that you need to hand in and get approved before you can hand in your term paper.
Teaching hours
Lectures, work assignments, fieldtrip, presentations and group work: 30 hours.
Admission requirements
Special requirements in Science