Studiegids

nl en

Ecosystem Services

Vak
2015-2016

Tags

EES, S

Admissions requirements

Environmental Science

In addition, a basic understanding of earth processes, as introduced in parts of Earth System Sciences is desirable.

Description

Environmental problems are complex and occur at the interface of biodiversity/ecosystem functioning and societal demands. Ecosystem services comprise a concept that allows analysing, quantifying and optimizing this interface by expressing the multitude of ways through which ecosystems provide benefits to humankind. This course will provide students with a theoretical and applied approach to ecosystem services.

The first part of the course will focus on basic principles of ecosystem services and their classification. The pros and cons of using ecosystem services as a concept will be debated.
Next, their relation with and dependence on ecosystem functioning and biodiversity will be discussed. This part will include key concepts needed to understand and quantify ecosystem functioning, the role of organisms in general and biodiversity in particular therein as well as the impacts of trade-offs and feedbacks on ecosystem processes.
The second part of the course will focus on methods, indicators and instruments available to evaluate the interactions with human society, show examples of successful and failed applications of the ecosystem services concepts, the different ways of calculating provided ecosystem services from ecosystem functioning components, the differences between benefits and values, impacts of flows of ecosystem services, and tools to manage and optimize ecosystem services as dependent on local societal demands.

As part of the course, students will conduct a group research project, within which the ecosystem services of a particular case study will be analysed. Each group will work with a different ecosystem. Within the project, special attention is paid to the interests and perceptions of the involved stakeholders and the interactions among them. Students will discuss ecosystem services for their case study from different perspectives, analyse the potential impacts thereof on ecosystem management and discuss how different ecosystem types lead to a different balance in services provision.

Course objectives

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

  • define and discuss important principles, characteristics and instruments related to the provision of ecosystem services;

  • characterize the relationships between ecosystem functioning, ecosystem services and societal demands;

  • evaluate the impacts of trade-offs, feedbacks, spatiotemporal arrangements and stakeholders’ preferences for perceived ecosystem services;

  • be able to work with ecosystem services concepts within a multidisciplinary setting;

  • critically evaluate approaches to manage ecosystems and to optimise resources availability in light of ecosystem services concepts;

  • critically discuss, debate in a constructive way, and report on issues involved in the concept of and provision of ecosystem services from multiple points of view.

Timetable

Once available, timetables will be published here.

Mode of instruction

The main mode of instruction will centre around regular lectures and seminar-style/dynamic lectures. The latter mode of instruction involve questions and discussions aiming a full engagement of all students. This requires student to be prepared prior to the instruction, so that they can constructively participate in structured and ad-hoc discussions.

In addition, students are required to complete a group assignment. To facilitate completion of these assignments, there will be some time set aside during lectures to discuss progress on the group assignment (the remainder of the work is conducted outside class hours). Attendance is compulsory for students.

Assessment

Assessment will occur through two exams, and a group assignment (review on a topic). In addition, participation in class will determine part of the final grade.

class participation: 10%
Mid-term exam: 20%
Group Assignment: 30%
Final Exam: 40%

Exams: Each exam will consist of a combination of short-answer and essay questions.

Group assignment: The results of the group assignment or presented through a plenary poster presentation upon which each poster is introduced within a 2-minutes elevator pitch by one of the members of the group. The assignment will be evaluated as a group effort.

Blackboard

There will be a Blackboard site available for this course. Students will be enrolled at least one week before the start of classes.

Reading list

On-line reading materials will be distributed via Blackboard.

Registration

This course is open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Registration is coordinated by the Curriculum Coordinator. Interested non-LUC students should contact course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.

Contact

Prof.Dr. Peter M. van Bodegom, p.m.van.bodegom@cml.leidenuniv.nl
Dr. Alexander van Oudenhoven, a.p.e.van.oudenhoven@cml.leidenuniv.nl