Nature Conservation in Practise, 15 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Biology

Entry requirements

Note: Admission requirements for non-programme students usually also include admission requirements for the programme and threshold requirements for progression within the programme, or corresponding.

Prerequisites

Intended learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to give the student knowledge in evaluation of nature areas from a conservation point of view. The aim of the course is also to give knowledge in documentation and follow-up of conservation measures and management of different biotopes. The main focus will be on using the knowledge in the field.
After the course you should be able to:

• Identify and interpret distribution patterns of vascular plants with a focus on indicator plants for valuable semi-natural grasslands, common species and species favoured by high nitrogen levels in the soil. The student should be able to identify both flowering and non-flowering plants.
• Identify and interpret distribution patterns of lichens, fungi, mosses and vascular plants with a focus on indicator species for old-growth forests, common species and mix-up species with regard to the indicator species.
• Assess patches of semi-natural grasslands with regard to their biological structures and species
• Recommend and design management measures to develop the biological values in the long term in semi-natural grasslands
• Assess patches of forest with regard to the Woodland Key Habitat methodology (Skogsstyrelsen)
• Recommend and design management measures to develop the biological values in the long term in forest patches
• Write descriptions of single sites with regard to conservation values and analyse consequences of development actions
• Analyse effects on favourable conservation status according to Natura 2000 of on the landscape level
• Produce and present a report of environmental impact of a quality high enough to qualify pass the inspection from the responsible authorities in the society

Course content

Assessment of conservation values in different environments, through inventories and evaluations of the species composition. Management of different types of nature, particularly semi-natural grasslands and forests. Inventory methodology. History of land-use. EU grants in agriculture. Certification of forestry. Documentation and follow-up studies of conservation measures. Interpretation of aerial photographs. Writing the biological part of an environmental impact assessment paper. Conservation work is discussed with biologists working in districts, county administrations, forestry administrations and as consultants.

Teaching and working methods

The course consists of lectures, field excursions and group projects. The focus is on group projects in the field, with both oral exams in the field and written exams. The group projects consist of shorter field works in different natural ecosystems, and a wider project with assessment of conservation values of a larger area. The group projects are based on real life scenarios. Full attendance is required, due to the predominance of practical exercises in the course.

Examination

Grades

Department

Director of Studies or equivalent

Examiner

Education components

Course literature

Additional literature

Books

Articles

• 
  Some course literature will be accessible in the lab and some will be found in different databases. The seraching in databases will be done by the students during the course.