Landscape Ecology

The course treats how changes in the landscape affect ecosystems and species distribution, how the composition, structure, and function of the landscape change, and how humans manage landscapes. The course highlights how landscape ecology, with its focus on spatial patterns, is important for various conservation issues.

The course starts with a theoretical component in which landscape ecological concepts and theories are presented. Different approaches to gathering field data at the landscape level are compared. The course also addresses the basics of GIS and remote sensing for application in landscape ecology and relevant regulations related to landscape ecological issues.

A large part of the course is devoted to conducting a landscape ecological study. In groups, students collect landscape ecological data using GIS and write a report that is presented in groups. To gain a deeper understanding, students read and critically review scientific articles and chapters from the course literature that are then discussed in seminar groups.

The course comprises

• a theoretical component based on lectures on selected parts of the course literature
• practical exercises
• literature seminars where selected parts of the course literature or scientific articles are discussed
• a project in which landscape ecological data are processed, analyzed, and reported orally and in writing
• an individual written exam on landscape ecological theories.

Progressive specialisation: A1N (has only first‐cycle course/s as entry requirements)

Education level: Master's level

Admission requirements: 75 ECTS credits in Biology, including 15 ECTS credits in Ecology at the G2F or advanced level, and upper secondary level English 6 or English level 2, or equivalent.

Selection: Selection is usually based on your grade point average from upper secondary school or the number of credit points from previous university studies, or both.

This course is included in the following programme

• Master Programme in Biology: Ecology and Conservation Biology (studied during year 1)
• Master Programme in Biology: Ecology and Conservation Biology: Ecology and Conservation Biology (studied during year 1)