Course teacher(s)
Ana Filipa Palmeirim (Coordinator)ECTS credits
5
Language(s) of instruction
english
Course content
Conceptual and theoretical foundations in Landscape Ecology; socio-ecological factors influencing the establishment of landscapes and its effects on biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services; basic notions of management. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their methodological importance in Landscape Ecology. Metrics and models in Landscape Ecology. Spatial statistics in landscape studies: understanding and calculating metrics of landscape composition and configuration.
Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)
The aim of this course is to present the foundations of Landscape Ecology, highlighting the main concepts developed within this discipline over the past three decades. Emphasis will be placed on how these concepts can be applied in landscape analyses, considering multi-scale effects and addressing biological and biodiversity metrics, as well as the socio-ecological dimension. Both the theoretical framework and the presentation of case studies will focus on applying landscape ecology concepts to understand the multidimensional effects of landscape changes. Through lectures, practical sessions and seminars, the course will introduce the main methodologies and analytical approaches used in this field.
Prerequisites and Corequisites
Required and Corequired knowledge and skills
No specific prerequisites, but familiarity with R studio will be helpful.
Teaching methods and learning activities
The course combines theoretical lectures, empirical case studies, practical data-analysis sessions, and active-learning activities. Practical sessions provide hands-on experience in quantifying biodiversity and landscape structure and analysing biodiversity responses across spatial scales. Students will also critically discuss scientific literature and participate in a debate on habitat fragmentation. In small groups, students will develop a research project involving the analysis and interpretation of biodiversity and landscape data, culminating in an oral presentation and discussion of their results.
References, bibliography, and recommended reading
Forman, R.T.T. 1995. Land mosaics: the ecology of landscapes and regions. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Klopatek, J. M., & Gardner, R. H. (Eds.). (2012). Landscape ecological analysis: issues and applications. Springer Science & Business Media.
Lindenmayer, D. B., & Fischer, J. (2013). Habitat fragmentation and landscape change: an ecological and conservation synthesis. Island Press.
Course notes
- Université virtuelle
Other information
Additional information
The course instructor reserves the right to invite any student to a supplementary oral interview in order to verify their personal mastery of the content of the submitted examination, particularly when inconsistencies identified in the examination prevent the instructor from properly assessing the student’s level of mastery of the knowledge and skills targeted by the course.
Contacts
ana.filipa.palmeirim@ulb.be
Campus
Plaine
Evaluation
Method(s) of evaluation
- Continuous assessment
- Oral presentation
- Written report
Continuous assessment
Oral presentation
Written report
Continuous assessment based on students’ participation and performance in the practical sessions and on a group research project. The project will be assessed through a written report and an oral presentation.
Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)
Practical sessions: 30% | Oral presentation: 20% | Written report: 50% = 100%
Language(s) of evaluation
- english