Ecosystem Restoration in the Tropics and Climate Change
The course investigates the degradation of tropical ecosystems and options for their restoration, including related governance and international mechanisms as well as the limits of restoration.
5 ECTS Credits — Studies start 20 March 2023 — University of Eastern Finland
Course dates
20 March 2023 – 15 May 2023
Registration period
1 January 2023 – 6 March 2023
Coordinating university
University of Eastern Finland
Instructors
Credits
5 ECTS
Course dates: 20.03. - 15.05.2023
Registration dates: 01.01. - 06.03.2023
Coordinating university: University of Eastern Finland
Partner university: CSIR College of Science and Technology (CCST, Ghana)
Responsible teacher: Frank Berninger, if.feu@regninreb.knarf
Responsible person (CCST, Ghana): Mark Appiah, moc.liamg@haippa.kramna
Credits: 5 ECTS
Course offered: 3/3
Course summary
The course investigates the degradation of tropical ecosystems and options for their restoration. Restoration includes carbon balances, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and landscape-level restoration. The course also looks at the limits of ecosystem restoration, and governance and international mechanisms that support it (such as REDD+). The course is a Master level course and considered to be at the advanced studies (syventävät opinot) level.
The course will provide an understanding of the role of ecosystem restoration in the tropics across different levels. This includes the interplay of natural, economic, and social factors, as well as the challenges posed by climate change. In addition, issues of carbon balance and the role of restoration in the global carbon balance are analysed, and policy concepts such as REDD+ and the Paris Agreement are introduced.
Learning outcomes
After the course, students should have a quantitative and qualitative knowledge on ecosystem degradation and restoration of tropical ecosystems. Key concepts are ecosystem services, effects of climate change, different political mechanisms to finance restoration.
Learning methods
There will be 6 video lectures and reading assignments. There will also be a set of multiple choice questions associated with each lecture, and the answers will be evaluated.
For each lecture, each student should read one article and write a short essay based on a question posed for the article. The essays will be peer-evaluated by other students.
At the end of the course students will also make a video lecture, in pairs, on a restoration project and upload it to the group.
Study materials
Readings will be made available on Moodle.
Assessment
Grade 0-5. 1/3 multiple choice questions, 1/3 peer evaluation, 1/3 final seminar.
Additional information
The course is held in the 4th period. As the lectures are online, there won't be fixed lecture times except for the Final Seminar. The dates for the final seminar will be announced in due time.
The course assumes a basic knowledge of ecology, in particular knowledge of ecosystem ecology and biodiversity.
The course is offered in collaboration with the CSIR College of Science and Technology in Accra, Ghana.