Print Syllabus

Syllabus

BI1446 Ecosystem Restoration and Rewilding, 15.0 Credits

Ekosystemrestaurering och rewilding

Subjects

Forestry Science Biology

Education cycle

Master’s level

Advanced study in the main field

Second cycle, has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Master’s level (A1F)

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to 120 credits

60 credits in one of the following subjects:

- Biology
- Forestry Science
- Natural Resource Management
- Environmental Sciences 

15 credits Ecology

And courses on advanced level equivalent to:

15 credits Forestry Science and 15 credits Biology

alternatively

30 credits Biology including 15 credits ecology

English 6

Objectives

The aim of the course is to give the student a deeper understanding of the need for restoration and reintroduction of wild animals, as well as how such measures can be implemented with regard to different targets and goal conflicts. The course focuses on forested systems and adjacent semi-aquatic and aquatic environments, with a particular focus on boreal systems. International perspectives on other ecosystems are also included. The student will be able to apply the theoretical knowledge to create restoration plans and monitoring schemes, and critically discuss and assess the needs, benefits and possible conflicting objectives of restoration and rewilding in ecosystems.

After completing the course, the student should be able to

• identify the need for restoration or rewilding in different ecosystems
• describe the aims of restoration and rewilding in different ecosystems.
• suggest appropriate methods, extent and locations for restoration and rewilding.
• describe the process of practical restoration work for making restoration plans
• plan the monitoring of restoration and rewilding with appropriate organisms to monitor.
• critically evaluate the needs, costs, benefits and conflicting goals of restoration and rewilding in different cases.

Content

Subject-related content:

The course is about ecosystem restoration and rewilding of species, ecosystems and ecosystem services in forests, wetlands, grasslands and aquatic systems. The course covers the foundational concepts of restoration and rewilding to give the students a solid theoretical background for practical restoration work. The students learn to identify the need for restoration and rewilding and appropriate methods to conduct practical restoration work. The planning and assessment of practical restoration and rewilding has a strong focus in the course. The course covers scales from individuals and populations to landscape scale restoration and rewilding (for example inoculation of fungi on trees to re-introducing megaherbivores).

Teaching formats:*

Through course literature, physical and online lectures, group works, discussions, case studies, and field excursions, the student will gain knowledge on restoration and rewilding of forests, grasslands, wetlands and peatlands and aquatic systems.

The course focuses on the following generic competencies:*

Synthesis and oral presentation.

Field excursions and examinations are obligatory

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

Home assignments, group work and final seminar

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Responsible department

Department of Wildlife, Fish, & Environmental Studies