Introduction:

1.1 Background

Through evolutionary time species have gone extinct, sometimes in the form of mass extinctions. The background or ‘natural’ extinction rate is, however, negligible compared to the impact of man on species survival. The extinction of species today is estimated to be 100-1 000 times higher than the background extinction rate, estimated as the average extinction rate over the last 100 million years. There is good evidence that we are now approaching another mass extinction which would be solely due to human activity and surpass in extent any previous mass extinction.

Of the 13 million species assumed to be present in the world today, only 1.8 million have been scientifically described and named. The eradication of species, even before they have ever been described, is one of the major environmental threats today. In Norway alone, ca 15 000 species have been assessed as threatened, and as many as 3 000 species exist in the national ‘red list’ of species most vulnerable to extinction. Among the larger, most conspicuous species in Norway, 30 and 25 % of all mammals and birds, respectively, belong to the red list.

Extinction of species reduces biodiversity and its inherent value. More concretely the instrumental, or utilitarian, value of biodiversity is reduced by decreasing humans’ possibilities to acquire goods (e.g. food, fuel, fibre and medicines), services (e.g. pollination, recycling, nitrogen fixation, homeostatic regulation), information (e.g. genetic engineering, pure science) and psycho-spiritual values (aesthetic beauty, religious awe, scientific knowledge).

The extinction of species also contravenes human intentions for sustainable development as agreed in international conventions. Even though the understanding of extinction of species is highly dependent on evolutionary and ecological processes, there is a need today to incorporate such knowledge with an understanding of human impacts on ecosystems. In the present program we will focus on the biological processes and the scientific tools needed to understand and acquire knowledge about sustainable development of ecosystems, aiming to provide the competence needed among the many practitioners in the professional areas of education, management and research who will influence the sustainable development of our future.

1.2 Applied ecology

Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms. The ‘applied’ perspective often refers to how ecological knowledge can be used to achieve specific aims. The aims may be associated with the exploitation of natural resources, for instance as a sustainable harvest, or equally with the protection of the biodiversity of ecosystems. Human impacts such as habitat destruction and fragmentation, harvesting, biological control, the introduction of alien species, and discharge of environmental poisons or climatic gasses all contribute to changes in the environment. Today these changes are occuring at a much faster rate and to a greater extent than species are able to adapt to. However, ecological knowledge may be used to reduce the detrimental effects. For instance, remedial actions such as specific harvesting strategies or a landscape approach to areas of expansion may allow sustainable development between man and the environment. Sustainable development does, however, demand specific methods for monitoring the natural environment to identify deviations from the aims of management. Hence, in the present master program in applied ecology we focus on:

1) The ecological effects of human impact in nature;

2) The ecological effects of remedial actions;

3) Sustainable utilisation of natural resources; and

4) Wildlife- and habitat monitoring.

‘Applied’ in the present sudy program also refers to the ability to carry to completion a substantial piece of original research. We aim to train students to be able to plan, conduct, analyse and present results from ecological studies with management applications. Besides a strong foundation in the discipline of ecology, this requires knowledge of novel technology, mathematical and statistical skills, as well as a good command of English which is the scientific language. We will attach importance to the students’ ability to acquire information and be critical of the sources refered to. Seminars and discussions will enhance students’ ablities to evaluate ‘accepted truths in ecology’, and results and interpretations from other studies.

Despite the discipline of ecology being neutral in value, several topics in ecology touch on areas of conflicting values. Knowledge of the development of human ethical principles and attitudes is important to be able to communicate with various social groups that need ecological results. Hence, to complete the ‘applied’ perspective, a knowledge of social sciences as well as the development of communication skills, will run like a connecting thread throughout the study.

1.3 Why a master in applied ecology

International conventions require a continuously higher level of consciousness regarding the use of natural resources and wildlife- and habitat monitoring. Norway, and the Nordic countries in general, hold a unique position in this context with large, relatively intact, wildlife areas which we have a special responsibility to utilise sustainable. As far as we know, we are the first educational institution in Norway, and among the Nordic countries, to prepare a master of science degree in applied ecology. Except for the University of Stavanger, all the universities in Norway either offer a master of science in ecology, or offer ecology as a major area of study within a master of science in biology. Characteristic of the master of science in ecology offered in Norway, is the focus on ecology as a basic science.

The master of science in applied ecology is also unique in Norway because it is proposed to be taught in English to give it an international perspective, and because theory and practice will follow each other continuously during the study.. The emphasis of the research program will be on empirical research addressing questions relevant to regional wildlife management.

Aim of the study:

The Faculty of Forestry and Wildlife Management aims to offer studies related to the sustainable utilisation of forest and unenclosed hinterland within an institutional area of commitment called ‘Green values’. With Green values we highlight the significance of nature, not only as an economic resource, but also for the well-being of humanity and the inherent value of biodiversity. It is the faculty’s objective to be actively involved in research programs addressing the application of ecological science and to increase internationalisation through student exchange programs, an increased number and improved level of courses taught in English and cooperative research programs with international institutions.

The Master of science in applied ecology aims to provide the opportunity for students to:

• Learn to conceive, plan and carry to completion a substantial piece of original research under the supervision of a professional in the field;
• Become familiar with contemporary knowledge and thinking in the field of applied ecology;
• Learn to communicate and participate in discussions on current controversial issues in ecology and the application of the science.
• Acquire in depth knowledge of:
  • Ecological topics at scales from individuals to global systems.
  • Human impacts due to harvesting, introduction of alien species, habitat destruction and fragmentation, population control, pollution and climatic changes.
  • The application of ecological methodology such as study design, statistical modelling, ecological technologies and analysis of wildlife and habitat monitoring.

Target group:

Our aim is to target students and professionals who have a dedicated interest in wildlife, and the interaction between man and the environment. Herein we target professionals within wildlife management who want to extend their competence in the field of ecology above the level of a bachelor.

Primarily we target students with a bachelor in ecology, (wildlife) biology, evolution, environmental sciences or such like. However, we encourage applicants with other bachelor degrees, or who can show an interdisciplinary bachelor degree, as long as they fulfil the entrance requirements (see chapter

The lenght, extend and level of the study:

The master in applied ecology is a full time study over 2 years, consisting of 120 ECTS credits according to § 3 in ‘The regulation of requirement to a master degree appointed by the Ministry of Education and Research July 2nd, 2002 (”Forskrift om krav til mastergrad” fastsatt av Utdannings- og Forskningsdepartementet den 2. juli 2002). Half of the study (60 credits) consists of a master thesis in applied ecology.

Career:

The masters degree in applied ecology qualifies the student to:

1) Work as a research assistant, for instance with environmental impact assessment or wildlife- and habitat monitoring;

2) Work in decision making in private and public wildlife management at all levels from licensees, local authorities and ministries.

3) Work at educational institutions. Additional pedagogic background may be needed dependent on institutional requirements.

4) Enter a PhD-program in ecology, biology or likewise for a further career in research.

Content, structure and organisation of the study:

First semester: The basics of applied ecology and ecological scientific methodology, including the ability to gain knowledge from information technology.

Second semester: Discussing current topics in applied ecology, and doing the optional courses as for instance methodological courses with the intention of achieving competence in advanced monitoring technology.

Third semester: Same as the second semester, but with more emphasis on data collection for the master thesis.

Fourth semester: Analysing and completing the master thesis.

The recommended progress of the master in applied ecology:

8.1 The first semester

The first semester will introduce the student to advanced topics in the science of ecology and applied scientific methodology through two courses:

1) 6SU 311 (20 credits): Human impact in ecology and evolution

2) 6SU 321 (10 credits): Study design and statistical modelling

These two courses will be integrated such that topics covered in 6SU 311 are followed by exercises and writing of reports in 6SU 321. Hence, the first semester will introduce the student to the writing of the scientific ‘story’, while seminars in 6SU 311 will introduce the student to oral presentations, scientific publications and discussion.

8.2 The second and third semester

The basic knowledge acquired during the first semester will be developed here with seminars by the students themselves on current topics in applied ecology (6SU 312). In these seminars students will present and discuss recent international publications within one of the four fields we are focusing on: human impacts, remedial actions, sustainable use and monitoring. As a follow up to 6SU 321, the discussions will also focus on the study design and analysis presented in the paper. The course will run throughout one whole year allowing the students to mature in the discussions in current topics in applied ecology, and to include monitoring techniques in various seasons.

In addition the students are offered the possibility to choose various intensive courses in monitoring methodology (6SU323, 6SU324, 6SU35, 36SU326). While the seminars in current topics in applied ecology focus on oral presentations and communication skills, the monitoring course focus on the skills of analysing and writing through exercises. Both 6SU 312 and 322

8.3 The fourth semester

Students will use all their time to complete the master thesis, including data analysis and writing. We will, however, encourage our fourth semester students to follow the seminars in current topics in ecology and thus contribute to the discussions as they become senior masters in applied ecology.

Information acquisition skills:

Students will gain competence in acquiring information at the start of the study as such skills are required throughout the whole study in connection with seminars and exercises. The library will be responsible for instructing students.

Internationalisation:

We propose the master in applied ecology to be taught in English. This to allow for international applicants, and to create an international student environment that will improve the quality of the study, not least through discussions of various ‘schools’ in ecology and human attitudes. We will encourage and make allowances for students who wish to study abroad for part of their degree. Such an international stay is recommended to take place during the second and/or third semester of the study depending on the courses the student may achieve abroad. In addition, we will accept qualified external supervisors of the master thesis from international universities and university colleges. Hence, an international stay may be used to carry out part of the master thesis.

Hedmark University College has several international agreements of collaboration. Specific to the Faculty of Forestry and Wildlife Management there are active student exchange programs with:

• University of Applied Sciences, Eberswalde, Germany
• Arnt-Moritz-University Greifswald, Germany
• University of Applied Sciences, Weihenstephan, Germany
• University of Freiburg, Germany
• School of Forestry, Basna Stiavnica, Slovakia
• Zvolen University, Slovakia
• Pacific Lutheran University, USA
• North Dakota State University, USA

The faculty also has student- and staff exchanges with the University of Fairbanks, Alaska, and African Wildlife Management College, Tanzania, and an agreement of intention with 12 Nordic institutions to cooperate on joint degrees in ‘Nordic Ecosystem Management’.

Teaching structure:

Lectures followed by practical exercises both in the field and in the computer-lab. There will also be extensive use of seminars by student presentations and discussions as well as presentations by invited external professionals. See chapter 12 for a detailed description.

Evaluation:

See description of courses below.