| Responsible Department | Forest & Landscape | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earliest Possible Year | MSc. 1 year | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | One block | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credits | 15 (ECTS) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level of Course | MSc | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Examination | Final Examination oral examination All aids allowed Description of Examination: Oral examination including two components, one question in the examination requirements and one presentation of one of the students´ project report. The presentation includes examination of the report as well. Weight: The question in the examination requirements counts 50% and the presentation and examination of the project report counts 50% 7-point scale, external examiner | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Requirement for Attending Exam | 3 out of 4 project reports must be accepted | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Organisation of Teaching | The teaching includes lectures, exercises and about 2 weeks excursions. Reports are partly based on excursions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Block Placement | Block 1 Week Structure: A Block 1 Week Structure: B | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Language of Instruction | English | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Optional Prerequisites | Relevant bachelor degree, e.g. in Natural resources, Forest and Landscape Engineer, Biology or Geography. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restrictions | none | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Content | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Through lessons and case studies of relevant ecosystems (e.g. forests, heath lands, dunes, tidal meadows and bogs) system and restoration ecological aspects will be thoroughly read: System ecology: The ecosystem concept; succession and disturbances; biogeochemical cycling of nutrients; the hydrological cycle; undisturbed soils; carbon sequestration and turn over of organic material; biodiversity; wild life ecology; Restoration ecology: Management effects on nutrients and water; grazing ecology and game management; cultural/historical ecology; nature-based management of forests and other semi-natural ecosystems, habitat conservation and protection. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Teaching and learning Methods | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| The thematic course includes lessons and interactive class room discussions, theoretical and practical exercises, and excursions. Based on the exercises and excursions mandatory reports are written. One week-long excursion goes abroad. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning Outcome | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning Outcome The aim is to give the student an in-depth understanding of the ecology of forest and other semi-natural terrestrial ecosystems and tools for use in management of such systems in relation to specific management goals. Temperate ecosystems will be in focus but the principles will be general and relevant for other biomes. After completing this course the student should be able to: 1) Knowledge: Demonstrate fundamental knowledge in systems ecology of forest and relevant natural and semi natural ecosystems. Focus will be on functionality, structure, biogeochemistry, biodiversity, hydrology, succession, disturbance and interactions between ecosystems Understand ecosystem processes and how they can be influenced by management Understand principles for ecosystem restoration Explain key theories and methodologies for management of forests and other semi-natural ecosystems Explain the principles of sustainable use, protection and stewardship of forests and other semi-natural areas Identify possibilities/limitations in relation to human intervention and climate change 2) Skills: Analyse specific ecosystems - structures and processes Apply methods for ecosystem management Develop long-term strategies, operational targets and specific plans for sustainable use and protection of forests and other semi-natural ecosystems Assess implications of human interventions and climate change on ecosystem functioning Analyse problems and communicate solutions in report writing 3) Competences: Define potentials for developments of forests and other semi-natural terrestrial ecosystems according to different management goals Develop and evaluate methods and plans for management Adapt principles and select tools to implement such plans Cooperate effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural groups within a group project. Transfer knowledge into operational plans | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Literature | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larsen, J.B. Nature-based forest management (notes) Kimmins, J.P. Forest Ecology Van Andel, J. and Aronson, J. (eds) Restoration Ecology A number of relevant scientific papers. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Coordinator | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jørgen Bo Larsen, jbl@life.ku.dk, Forest & Landscape Denmark/Forestry and wood products, Phone: 353-31688 Karsten Raulund-Rasmussen, krr@life.ku.dk, Forest & Landscape Denmark/Applied ecology, Phone: 353-31666 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Fee | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Direct costs for excursions | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Study Board | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Study Committee NSN | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Work Load | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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