Ecosystem management

Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is a new approach to manage the human activities that affect ecosystems. Students will learn the difference between EBM and a single-species approach to management, as well as the major principles for application of EBM. The scientific concepts in EBM will be contrasted to the UN principles for the ecosystem approach, and challenges for its policy making and implementation will be examined. Managing human activities also requires understanding of the underlying drivers of ecosystem change and their impacts on ecosystem services. In this regard the analytic framework of the UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment will be discussed.

The course will draw on examples from the management of ocean, coastal, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems.

It is recommended that students have taken basic courses in biology or core courses in the Bachelor of Circumpolar Studies.

Students that have accomplished BIO-2007 will have knowledge about the foundation of ecosystem management including:

• Contrasts between ecosystem management and traditional approaches to natural resource management.
• Trade-offs and synergies among ecosystem services
• Adaptive management and monitoring to meet local and global environmental changes
• The ecosystem approach as defined by the UN principles and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.

Have abilities and skills in:

• Integrated analyses for application of ecosystem management
• Teamwork that address policy relevant questions and devise solutions to management problems
• Oral and written presentations of scientific literature relevant for ecosystem management.

The teacher will provide an overview of the course during 32 hrs lectures

In the colloquium (48 hrs) students will either i) prepare answers to pre-defined questions which will be discussed with other students and supervised by a seminar leader, and ii) present articles. Questions discussed on seminars could be brought up on the oral exam.

Students will work in teams to develop a plan for implementing ecosystem management in a specified locality. Supervision seminars will be arranged (16 hr in total)

Language of instruction and examination

The language of instruction is English and all of the syllabus material is in English. Examination questions will be given in English, but may be answered either in English or a Scandinavian language.

Portifolio exam

The students will be assessed on the basis of the teamwork (30%) and the oral exam (70%). Students will be given questions 24 hr in advance to prepare for the oral exam. The marking scale ranges from A (best) to F (fail).