Course manual 2025/2026
Course content
Thorough field knowledge of landscape elements and their mutual relationship is vital to the understanding of geo-ecosystem functioning. This course deals with integrated geo-ecosystem analysis and includes the state factors geology and climate, which affect the distribution of water, light and nutrients and geomorphological processes in the landscape, as well as development of soil and vegetation. Introductory lectures will introduce the student to various aspects of the geo-ecosystems under study, amongst others: geological / tectonic setting, geomorphological development and processes, soil development, environmental problems, hydrological functions, functioning and preservation of the local ecosystems. Literature will be available to prepare for a geo-ecological inventory. A one week GIS practical in the GIS-Studio at the Science Park is used for data/map preparation of the fieldwork. A short excursion will precede fieldwork. Students will work in groups of two or three and are responsible for data collection and data analysis. Data will be analyzed and presented in maps, tables and diagrams. A report in the form of a research article will be written after the fieldwork. Topics for this course will be: geo-ecological inventories, vulnerability assessment, hazard assessment, soil erosion and land degradation and conservation strategies.
Study materials
Literature
Software
Other
Field guide
Hand-outs
High-resolution imagery
Satellite imagery
Field equipment
Objectives
- Explain the functioning of the studied geo-ecosystems in relation to their landscape complexity and in relation to lithology, geomorphology, soil, vegetation and land use
- Apply field research techniques in geo-ecology such as landscape inventories, soil and vegetation description, and analyze and interpret a-biotic and biotic ecosystem parameters.
- Apply the following techniques: inventory techniques, GIS and Remote Sensing analysis using field validation, apply models to simulate geo-ecological processes or focus on geo-conservation of landscapes
- Evaluate and communicate the results of the inventory, in the format of a short research paper and presentation, including recommendations for sustainable land use
Teaching methods
- Lectures: 4 introductory lectures
- Practical: 5 days GIS lab using ArcGISpro
- Self-study: reading literature / processing data
- Fieldwork: 3 weeks on location
- Laboratory work: optional
- Report article: max 10 pages
- Presentation: closing mini symposium
Learning activities
|
Activity
|
Hours
|
|
|
Computer practical
|
20
|
|
|
Lecture
|
8
|
|
| Fieldwork |
140 |
|
| Reporting / Lab |
112 |
|
|
Total
|
336
|
(12 EC x 28 uur)
|
Attendance
Some course components require compulsory attendance. If compulsory attendance applies, this will be indicated in the Course Catalogue which can be consulted via the UvA-website. The rationale for and implementation of this compulsory attendance may vary per course and, if applicable, is included in the Course Manual.
Additional requirements for this course:
- Lectures: attendance highly recommended
- GIS lab: attendance mandatory
- Fieldwork: attendance mandatory
- Laboratory work: depending on topic
- Final presentation: attendance mandatory
Assessment
Assignments
The grades are group grades representing the group effort. However, individual grades can be given in cases where in the opinion of the examiner there are large differences in performance and/or contribution between the individual students in a group.
For the preparation of the written assignments (proposal and report) students may use UvA AI Chat when adhering to the following guidelines. No other generative AI tools may be used:
Provided human oversight is applied, UvA AI Chat can be used to:
- Improve language and style of scientific writing, as well as check for grammatical and spelling errors.
- Enhance the structure and organization of the manuscript.
- Assist in editing sections of the manuscript for clarity and coherence.
- Identify relevant literature for reviewing the published work of others for the Introduction and Discussion sections. However, it may NOT be used for writing these sections.
- Support coding or data analysis tasks, provided that the specific prompts or AI tools used are clearly described in the Methods section of the manuscript.
Important notes:
- Students must disclose the use of UvA AI Chat and the sections it was used for in an AI declaration statement in the Methods section of the manuscript.
- It is prohibited to use AI to generate new scientific content, data, or results; all scientific findings must be original and authored by the researchers.
- The use of AI to generate the Discussion section is prohibited, except for using AI for literature search. This section should focus on providing the students’ insights, explanations, and interpretations of the results rather than automatically generated interpretations of findings or comparisons with results published in the literature.
- Use of AI should adhere to ethical standards, ensuring transparency and honesty in reporting.
- Students are responsible for verifying the accuracy of any AI-assisted content and should not rely solely on AI outputs without critical review.
Fraud and plagiarism
The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl
Course structure
| Schedule |
Component |
Period |
| 1-4 (halftime) |
Introduction and GIS preparation |
May |
| 4-8 (fulltime) |
Fieldwork |
3-30 June |
| 112 hours |
Reporting |
July/August
|
- This course is given once every two years in Peru
- This course includes fieldwork and the student is expected to pay for travel, local housing, food and drinks and vaccinations.
- During this course you will stay approximately for three weeks in a foreign country, possibly under primitive and remote conditions.
- For the fieldwork part please visit the Canvas page ‘Insurance and Safety’.
- https://canvas.uva.nl/courses/6062/pages/fieldwork-and-safety
- Understanding of the fields geo-ecology, geomorphology, soil science, vegetation and hydrology and their interaction. Prior experience with field courses on geo-ecology is required.
- Minimum number of participants is 10. Maximum number of participants is 20.
Coordinator
Staff
- dr. W.M. de Boer
- dr. L.H. Cammeraat
- A. Carles Brangarí
- prof. dr. W.D. Gosling
- dr. W.E. Morriën
- dr. A.C. Seijmonsbergen