F1ES 4130 - Ecological science and nature-based solutions: issues and challenges

Human activities affect the Earth from the local to the global scale, causing rapid changes in climate, atmospheric chemistry, biodiversity, water resources and soils.There is a great need to mitigate and adapt to these changes and to restore damaged ecosystems and ecosystem services. Alongside technical solutions, nature-based solutions are increasingly being proposed and implemented.

The aim of the course is to present the ecological basis of these so-called nature-based solutions, to assess their scientific soundness and to discuss their potential and limitations. Special emphasis will be placed on biodiversity and ecosystem services, agroecology, carbon sequestration, ecosystem restoration, adaptation to climate change and urban ecology.

Learning Outcomes:

• Broad understanding of what ecology is as a science
• Broad understanding of the applications of ecology, i.e. nature-based solutions, and its relevance for human societies
• The ability to distinguish the different sub-field of ecology
• The ability to determine how to use ecological sciences to solve environmental issues

Professional Skills:

The ability to find ecological information within the literature to solve a particular practical problem.

The ability to chose among broad types of nature-based solution to solve particular problems.

There are no prerequisites, but a strong interest in environmental issues, the complexity of ecological systems and linking basic science to applications is welcome.

Individual oral feedback to students who request it.

• Written exam to check basic knowledge at the end of the course.
• Oral exam in groups of three students at the end of the course: presentation and discussion of a scientific paper given at the beginning of the course.

• In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 1 hour a week / 12 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 1 hour a week / 12 hours a semester