Conservation Ecology Practices

Uitgebreide vaknaam	Conservation Ecology Practices
Leerdoelen	At the end of the course, the student is able to: 1. develop a conservation strategy for a specific nature area using conservation biology theory; 2. apply relevant (inter)national conservation policies and laws; 3. perform quick scans, set-up a monitoring program, and perform a landscape analysis; 4. outline the type of work and philosophies of the relevant (inter)national organizations and institutes working in conservation ecology.
Omschrijving	This course links conservation ecology theory to conservation ecology practices. Aim of the course is that students learn to apply relevant eco- evolutionary theories and methods to current pertinent issues in conservation. Topics include advanced landscape ecology (linking geology, eco-hydrology, and nutrient cycles to habitat types), (inter)national and regional policy & law (IUCN/species protection, Natura 2000, Habitat Directive, agri-environmental schemes, SNL, PAS), restoration and management practices in different (fragmented) landscapes (themes in conservation: rewilding Europe, living landscapes, nature inclusive farming). Students will work with various appealing case studies from (inter)national conservation areas to learn about the various specific issues and their conservation strategies and approaches applied. Some conservation areas will be visited during the course, under guidance of the responsible manager. Students will learn relevant techniques (quick scans - getting relevant species/habitat information about specific areas of concern, setting up long-term monitoring programs, mapping species distributions) and apply these to several actual projects at choice in nature areas with relevance in an international context (e.g. the larger Waddensea area, Oostvaardersplassen, Gelderse Poort, de Onlanden, Drents Friese Wold, South-West Friesland). In passing, students get to know the various (non)governmental (inter)national organizations and institutes that deal with conservation practices at academic level via guest lectures and excursions (e.g. World Wildlife Fund, Rewilding Europe, IUCN, Wetlands International, Birdlife International, various Ecological Consultancies (Altenburg & Wymega, Bureau Biota), Provinces of Groningen/Drenthe, and national Nature Management Organizations (Staatsbosbeheer, Natuurmonumenten, de Landschappen), which is important for potential future careers.
Uren per week
Onderwijsvorm	Hoorcollege (LC), Opdracht (ASM), Practisch werk (PRC) (Lectures (42h), assignments (24h), field work/excursions (50h), self study (24 h))
Toetsvorm	Practisch werk (PR), Presentatie (P), Tussentoets (IT), Verslag (R) (Report (50%), presentation (25%), practical (25%), Grades for report, presentation and participation should all be sufficient (6 or higher, 5 or lower is not allowed). The quality of participation in discussions can lower or increase your final grade (max. 0.5 point).)
Vaksoort	master
Coördinator	prof. dr. ir. C. Smit
Docent(en)	dr. ir. D. Bos ,prof. dr. ir. C. Both , C. Brochard ,dr. ir. R.H.G. Klaassen ,prof. dr. ir. C. Smit
Verplichte literatuur	Titel Auteur ISBN Prijs Information (papers, literature, etc) available on Brightspace
Entreevoorwaarden	The course requires general background from a BSc Biology or similar programmes.
Opmerkingen	Register for this course by sending an email to: academicadvisor.mscbio@rug.nl The course is one of the three obligatory courses for the Ecology & Conservation MSc specialization (within Ecology & Evolution track). It is followed by students from the Master programmes Ecology and Evolution, therefore these students have priority Max 25 students
Opgenomen in	Opleiding Jaar Periode Type MSc Ecology and Evolution: Ecology and Conservation  (Electives/optional modules) - semester I a keuze MSc Ecology and Evolution: Ecology and Conservation  ( Track Ecology and Conservation) - semester I a verplicht MSc Ecology and Evolution: Evolutionary Biology  (Electives/optional modules) - semester I a keuze MSc Marine Biology: Research  (Compulsory master courses) - semester I a keuze