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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
Prerequisite
- High school level mathematics
- Basic knowledge in GIS and statistics (or willingness to put in some extra effort)
- Basic knowledge in ecology
- A good understanding of maps
Syllabus
Unit 1 Landscape Ecology Foundations
This unit introduces you to the definitions and important concepts of Landscape Ecology. It also explores the forces that shape our landscapes.
1.1 Introduction to Landscape Ecology
1.2 Drivers of Landscape Patterns
Unit 2Land System Modelling
This unit focuses on quantitative assessments and the modelling of landscapes, mostly from a natural science perspective.
2.1 Theory: Landscape Modelling
2.2 Case Study: Oil Exploration and Rare Plant Conservation
2.3 Theory: Landscape Metrics
2.4 Case Study: The Impacts of Transport Infrastructure in Iran on Wildlife Habitat
2.5 Theory: Remote Sensing
2.6 Case Study:Urbanisationin the Maldives
Unit 3Landscape and Society
This unit focuses on the socio-economic aspects of landscape science and the interface between people and the environment.
3.1 Theory: Landscape Perception
3.2 Case study: Renewable Energy and Landscape Conflicts
3.3 Case Study: Soundscape Ecology
3.4 Theory: Ecosystem Services and Valuation
3.5 Case study: Land Ethics
3.6 Theory: Urban Ecology
3.7 Case study: Urban Ecology in Bangalore
Instructors
Felix Kienast
Lead Instructor & Adjunct Professor for Landscape Ecology ETHZ / WSL
ETH Zurich & WSL
Gregor Martius
Course Designer
ETH Zurich
Janet Silbernagel
Prof.
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Sima Fakheran
Prof.
Isfahan University of Technology
Loïc Pellissier
Prof.
ETH Zurich & WSL
Harini Nagendra
Prof.
Azim Premji University
Josef Senn
Lecturer
Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL
Shekoufeh Nematollahi
PhD Candidate
Isfahan University of Technology
Selina Gosteli
Course Coordinator
ETH Zurich
Thomas C. Edwards
Prof.
Utah State University
Marcus Mäder
Lecturer
ETH Zurich and ZHdK
Boris Salak
Dr.
Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL and TU Wien
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