Ecosystem management

About this programme

The course provides broad knowledge of ecosystem management work, and discusses and critically evaluates the scientific basis on which ecosystem management practices rest. Focus is also put on understanding the roles different actors play in management of ecosystems, especially the role of ecologists. The course includes an in-depth assignment in which the students work in groups to analyze some aspect of the restoration and conservation of species and ecosystems, as well as excursions where ecosystem management practices are studied in the field. Social dimensions of ecosystem management. The goals and implementation of ecosystem management is affected by views and attitudes that do not have its roots in ecological science, but which ecologists must deal with. The section deals with how conflicts of interest, attitudes and human values influence the management of nature. Landscape ecology. The course provides an overview of the principles and concepts that form the basis of landscape planning. The students get an introduction to how landscapes can be described and quantified, as well as to the effects of land use on landscape structure (e.g., fragmentation and edge effects). Management and restoration of populations and ecosystems. Various methods aimed at conserving species and protecting or restoring ecosystems are covered, including compensatory measures in case of permanent exploitation, restoration of ecosystems, and different types of management and conservation with examples from several ecosystems, such as rivers, forests and agricultural lands.