Landscape Ecology

What is a landscape? How has it evolved? How do we perceive landscapes? What properties are required to make us feel at home? Are you interested in these topics and want to understand how landscapes function? Then this is the course for you! We will present the discipline of Landscape Ecology, where natural and social sciences meet. You will realize how innovative and collaborative approaches used in Landscape Ecology allow land managers, planners and the public to shape landscapes for future societies. We will teach you the modern tools of Landscape Ecology enabling you to address fundamental research questions. You will also get valuable practical advice in solving existing real landscape issues. Leading Landscape Ecology professors will present case studies from around the world, highlighting tools and methods in Landscape Ecology and how they are used to solve environmental problems.

• Methods for the valuation of landscapes using the ecosystem service paradigm
• How to quantify landscape attributes using landscape metrics
• Methods to assess user conflicts in ecologically sensitive landscapes
• How to use satellite data to detect landscape changes
• Philosophical aspects of landscapes, land ethics and conservation
• Theories of landscape perception and place attachment
• Ecology in the context of urban landscapes
• Statistical analysis with R
• How to work with spatial data and GIS

• High-school algebra
• Basic knowledge in geograhpic information system (GIS) and statistics (or willingness to invest addintional effort)
• basic knowledge in the field of ecology
• Ability to understand and interpret of maps