Course manual 2016/2017

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

Software

  • ArcGIS, collector app

Other

  • Field_guide, Hand-outs, literature, high-resolution FC air-photos, satellite imagery, field equipment

Objectives

After the course the student can:

  • 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
  • can apply field research techniques in geo-ecology such as landscape inventories, soil and vegetation description, and can analyze and interpret a-biotic and biotic ecosystem parameters.
  • can apply some of the following techniques: inventory techniques, GIS and Remote Sensing analysis using field validation, applying models to simulate geo-ecological processes or focus on geo-conservation of landscapes
  • can communicate the results of the inventory in the format of a short research paper and presentation

Teaching methods

  • Computer lab session/practical training
  • Fieldwork/excursion
  • Self-study
  • Self-study: reading literature / processing data
  • Fieldwork: 3 weeks on location
  • Laboratory work: optional
  • Report article: max 10 pages
  • Presentation: closing mini symposium
  • Lectures

Learning activities

Activity

Number of hours

Computer practical

20

Lectures

8

Presentations

4

Fieldwork

144

Self study

144

 

Attendance

The programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).


Additional requirements for this course:

Additional requirements for this course:

The fieldwork is mandatory

Assessment

Item and weight Details

Final grade

0.3 (30%)

field work

Must be ≥ 6

0.5 (50%)

final report

Must be ≥ 6, Allows retake

0.05 (5%)

final presentation

Must be ≥ 6

0.15 (15%)

research proposal

Must be ≥ 5

Inspection of assessed work

The date, time and location of the inspection moment are in the DataNose timetable.

Assignments

prosposal

  • research proposal

final report

final presentation

Onderstaande opdrachten komen aan bod in deze cursus:

  •    Naam opdracht 1 : beschrijving 2
  •    Naam opdracht 2 : beschrijving 1
  •    ....

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.uva.nl/plagiarism

Course structure

8-19 May Introduction
19 May-8 June Fieldwork
9-2 June Reporting

 

Timetable

The course schedule can be found at https://datanose.nl/

Additional information

This course includes field work and the student is expected to pay for travel, local housing, food and drinks.

During this course you will stay approximately for three weeks in a foreign country, possibly under primitive and remote conditions

For the field work part please visit the blackboard page ‘Insurance and Safety’.

http://blackboard.uva.nl/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_42608_1%26url%3D

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 = 10

maximum number of participants = 20

Programme details  (see also Datanose for changes in lecturing rooms)

 Date  Time Type Locations Staff  
8 May 2017 13-15 Lecture SP G0.10 dr. L.H. Cammeraat
9 May 2017 9-13 Computer practical SP C4.203 GIS-Studio dr. A.C. Seijmonsbergen
9 May 2017 13-15 Lecture SP B0.204 dr. A.M. Kooijman
10 May 2017 9-13 Computer practical SP C4.203 GIS-Studio dr. A.C. Seijmonsbergen
11 May 2017 9-13 Computer practical SP C4.203 GIS-Studio dr. A.C. Seijmonsbergen
16 May 2017 13-15 Lecture SP B0.209 dr. A.C. Seijmonsbergen
17 May 2017 9-13 Computer practical SP C4.203 GIS-Studio dr. A.C. Seijmonsbergen
18 May 2017 13-15 Lecture SP G0.12 dr. L.H. Cammeraat
19 May 2017 9-13 Computer practical SP C4.203 GIS-Studio dr. A.C. Seijmonsbergen
19 May 2017 15-22 Travel to Diekirch    
20 May 2017   Fieldwork Excursie Luxembourg dr. L.H. Cammeraat
21 May 2017   Reconnaissance field area Luxembourg    
22 May 2017   Fieldwork Luxembourg dr. A.C. Seijmonsbergen
23 May 2017   Excursion Luxembourg VU/LIST  
24 May 2017   Fieldwork Luxembourg dr. A.C. Seijmonsbergen
25 May 2017   Fieldwork Luxembourg dr. A.C. Seijmonsbergen
26 May 2017   Fieldwork Luxembourg dr. A.C. Seijmonsbergen
29 May 2017   Fieldwork Luxembourg dr. A.M. Kooijman
30 May 2017   Fieldwork Luxembourg dr. A.M. Kooijman
31 May 2017   Fieldwork Luxembourg dr. A.M. Kooijman
1 june 2017   Fieldwork Luxembourg dr. A.M. Kooijman
2 june 2017   Fieldwork Luxembourg dr. A.M. Kooijman
5 june 2017   Fieldwork Luxembourg dr. L.H. Cammeraat
6 june 2017   Fieldwork Luxembourg dr. L.H. Cammeraat
7 june 2017   Fieldwork Luxembourg dr. L.H. Cammeraat
8 june 2017   Return to Amsterdam    
12 june 2017 11-13 Lecture SP B0.203 dr. L.H. Cammeraat, dr. A.C. Seijmonsbergen, dr. A.M. Kooijman
19 june 2017 11-13 Lecture SP B0.206 dr. L.H. Cammeraat, dr. A.C. Seijmonsbergen, dr. A.M. Kooijman
29 june 2017 11-13 Presentation SP G0.23 dr. L.H. Cammeraat, dr. A.C. Seijmonsbergen, dr. A.M. Kooijman

The field course will be taking place at the same time and place as the Hydrology field course of the MSc Hydrology of the VU. Some educational course parts will be organized jointly (e.g. excursions)

 

Contact information

Coordinator

  • dr. L.H. Cammeraat