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In this module, students attain a profound knowledge base of the theory and concepts related to ecosystem ecology, social-ecological systems, and systems thinking. Students will develop a deep understanding of core principles that are helpful to assess complex social-ecological systems and a range of sustainability problems. The course participants learn and practice a range of system analysis tools to model the feedbacks between biotic and abiotic components of such systems, and to explore the spatiotemporal dynamics, stability, and resilience of social-ecological systems - with a focus on ecological processes. Moreover, students attain a methodological basis to quantify and assess ecosystem services, to analyze trade-offs and synergies between different services across scales. The course participants will also substantially deepen their skills in critically evaluating, summarizing, and discussing primary research literature.
The seminar will build the theoretical foundation for the course, via lectures, group discussions, literature reviews, and targeted debates. Topics that will be covered include:
- Foundations of ecosystem ecology: abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems, ecosystem functioning, energy, water, and nutrient cycling, trophic dynamics
- Spatial and temporal dynamics in ecosystems across scales
- Non-linearity, thresholds and tipping points, resilience in social-ecological systems
- Ecosystem services (concepts, quantification, evaluation)
- Trade-offs and synergies
- Ecosystem management and stewardship (spatial planning, landscape design, restoration ecology, priorization and optimization)
The computer-based seminar will focus on providing training in, and application of, analytical system-modeling tools. Exercises will include:
- Analyzing and modeling spatiotemporal dynamics in ecosystems and social-ecological systems
- System modeling (e.g. water cycles, nutrient cycles, tropic interactions)
- Quantifying, mapping, and assessing ecosystem services
- Scenarios and model uncertainty
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