Science-Based Geo-Ecological Management

Course manual 2018/2019

Course content

Nature conservation, restoration and agricultural use often generate conflicting demands between biodiversity, recreation, and other use of ecosystems. More often than not, measures and interventions start without asking the question why we actually want to intervene and what are the aims. In addition,  contrasting interests between stakeholders, executive organisations and scientists with respect to management intentions may exist.

This course aims to give insights in the ecological processes that should be considered to come to science-based management of geo-ecosystems. Understanding will be gained of geo- ecological and socio-ecological processes from local to landscape scale, and  the spatiotemporal dynamics of ecosystems. We will focus on three types of management challenges: a) novel ecosystems (Markerwadden, Oostvaardersplassen), b) abandoned ecosystems (Iberian peninsula, Horstermeerpolder), and c) agro-ecosystems (open field crops, fruit cultivation). The central questions that will be addressed in all ecosystems are: How to measure, manipulate and monitor geo-ecological processes to come to effective management strategies. The aim is to identify what can science can contribute to effective management.

 The course will focus on the three management challenges, in all of which we focus on four factors:

1) abiotic factors (soil-nutrient-water cycles)

2) succession processes (vegetation)

3) biotic foodwebs/interactions (predators-parasitoids-prey, i.e. animals (and microbes))

4) socio-economic factors

Study materials

Literature

• Scientific articles available on Canvas

Objectives

By the time the course is completed, the student is able to:

• Understand geo-ecological processes from local to landscape scale, and their effect on biodiversity.
• Understanding spatiotemporal dynamics of ecosystems, socio-ecological interactions and interconnections between different ecosystems.
• Determine how to measure geo-ecological processes and system responses
• Determine how to manipulate and manage ecological processes
• Determine how to monitor and evaluate management interventions and system responses
• Determine whether management practices are science-based.
• Gather and synthesize information to analyze and come to science-based geo-ecological management

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Seminar
• Fieldwork/excursion
• Presentation/symposium
• Self-study
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis

Background information will be given in lectures, followed by interactive sessions (WC's), guest lectures, excursions, and assignments.

Learning activities

Attendance

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

Additional requirements for this course:

Excursions and interactive sessions (WCs) are mandatory. Maximally two interactive sessions can be missed.

Assessment

Assignments

Assignment 1: Pitch & short text

• After an introduction into the theme, groups of students will develop a vision on how to deal with land abandonment, either for Europe as a whole, or for a specific region. Each group will a) analyse the potential trade-offs of land abandonment and indicate how to deal with these trade-offs, b) discuss how their vision for the areas that are threatened by agricultural abandonment might affect different stakeholders, locally and elsewhere, c) provide a short overview of the measures needed to reach your vision, d) indicate what other trade-offs not included in the data provided might be relevant and how, and e) discuss to what extent their vision is dependent on other (international) developments. This assignment will be graded based on a short text that provides the group's vision, the underlying rationale and considerations giving the questions above, as well as on a 3-minute PowerPoint pitch of the group's vision. The grade is worth 20% of the final mark. 

Assignment 2: Writing assignment

• Aim: Design a science-based nature-inclusive policy plan for an area of your choice, aimed for a professionally educated ecological manager. Follow the guidelines specified below.

  1. Overall aim (max 300 words). Provide situational context, issues at stake, and describe type of intervention/action in mind.

  2. Methods: (include empirical cycle, biodiversity measures, monitoring, time line etc.; max 300 words)

  2a. Biological aspects of the plan (include: food security measures, pest management measures) (400 words)

  2b. Abiotic aspects of the plan (include: Soil viability, nutrient cycle, water management) (400 words)

  3. Implementation plan (include: stakeholders involvement, citizen involvement, measures to determine project feasibility) (400 words)

  4. Include a risk analysis (max 500 words)

  5. Use at least 10 key words from the theoretical backgrounds (A-G) that were taught throughout the course, and specifically define these below your policy plan.

  6. Include a template, similar to the ‘business model canvas’; see pdf “business model canvas” on Canvas), in which you summarize your complete plan.

  Credits: 40% of your final mark. 

  Criteria:

  -Overall document:

                 -layout clear and attractive?

                 -well written (clearly formulated using correct terminology)?

                 -different parts well connected?

                 -aims and measures clear?

  -Separate parts:

                 -embedded in theoretical framework?

                 -measures clear and feasible?

                 -monitoring plan included?

Assignment 3: Peer reviews

• Students will get 2 first versions of the policy plan written by peers and will peer review these two reviews, which will help to improve the first version. These reviews will be done according to a specific form:

  Report number to review, containing the following points:

  Reviewers comments:

  Mark each of the 6 points below with a mark ranging from 1 – 10

  (2: Poor, 4: Reasonable, 6: Good, 8: Very good, 10: Excellent.

  1. Is the report well written, with a clear layout and with all points a-e addressed? (50-100 words)

  2. Are the points clearly stated and is the line of the proposal logical? (100-150 words)

  (what do you like most about the report, what is less clear and why?)

  3. Are the suggestions clear, convincing and well-argumented? (100 – 150 words)

  (will the suggestions give policymakers good ideas that could be implemented?)

  4. Is the terminology used and theories referred to clearly substantiated by references, examples and embedded in the theoretical framework for a science based management? (50-100 words)

  These two reviews will be graded and will together be 20% of your final mark.

Assignment 4: Poster presentation

• Students need to make a poster of their policy plan to 'sell' their plan to a broad audience, including policy makers and potential financers.

  The poster will be graded and will be 20% of your final mark.

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

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Additional information

This elective course is for students from various Master tracks (Future Planet Ecosystem Science, Ecology and Evolution, Earth Sciences), who are keen to understand what scientific knowledge about biotic and abiotic interactions at different trophic levels is needed for the management of sustainable ecosystems, which are important to come to science-based geo-ecological management, and/or who are interested in becoming managers of ecosystems. The course is also open to national and international students with a BSc or equivalent degree in Future Planet Studies, Biology, Earth Sciences.

This course uses a Canvas-site, where you will find all the necessary additional information, such as grouping for seminars, information on the assignments, additional literature. Therefore, check out the site regularly.

This course will be in English.

Contact information

Coordinator

• prof. dr. A.T. Groot

Staff

• dr. L.H. Cammeraat
• prof. dr. Marc Davidson
• dr. Paul van Rijn PhD
• dr. Kenneth Rijsdijk
• Peter Verburg