Course Objectives

The study will provide students with a broader and deeper insight into the ecological basis for environmental management and conservation. The students will also learn to understand and evaluate the scientific foundation for conservation and the choice of various strategies for the management of conservation-areas and species.

Course Description

Selected topics in practical and theoretical ecology that are particularly relevant for various nature-management strategies. The instruction will, to a large extent, be problem-oriented. Lecture topics will include:
Conservation biology and biodiversity, evolutionary ecology and biodiversity over time, distribution of biodiversity today, threats against biodiversity, biodiversity indexes
Preservation of populations, demography and genetics
Preservation of species, rarity, decline, re-establishment and the relationship between behaviour and species preservation.
‘Preservation of systems’ concerns themes such as landscape ecology, reservation geometry, selection and management of conservation area, cultural landscape, classical nature preservation, acute problems, laws and regulations and international cooperation

Learning Methods

Lectures: 36 hours
Obligatory: Seminars (5 hours), group work and a 5-day field-trip.
Group work and seminars will concentrate mainly on classical conservation tasks. Particular attention will be given to relevant laws and the conservation of land areas and species. Special emphasis will be placed on the actual management and care of conserved areas, also on privately owned land. Students are expected to actively participate during the seminars. The project work will be presented in plenum.

Assessment Methods

Grades will be given for three parts: the project paper counts for 30%, the mid-term test (multiple-choice examination) counts for 20% and a final examination (4 hours) counts for 50% of the final grade. In order to take the final examination, both the report from the field course and the group project must have received pass marks. All three part exams must also have received pass marks.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean