Course of study

An orientation module, four areas of specialization and the Master's thesis form the core of the course. Students from different disciplines are first introduced to current issues and working methods in landscape ecology and nature conservation in the orientation module. Four "pillars" then deepen skills in the areas of nature and society (A), biogeochemical material cycles (B), biodiversity (C) and ecosystem analysis and modeling (D). A provides the social context and the planning and legal instruments, B deepens the understanding of material cycles, C provides the basics for dealing with biodiversity and D teaches the use of new tools for modeling, monitoring and landscape assessment.

• Nature and society (A): This pillar deals with the social context and the planning options of nature conservation based on the history of the environment and landscape. The socio-political requirements and normative goals, options and strategies for action as well as the planning instruments for the development of landscapes are in the foreground and lead to concepts and strategies for modern nature conservation. Environmental assessments, landscape planning and landscape management play a central role as standardized instruments of nature conservation. These instruments form the basis for political decisions on land use.
• Biogeochemical material cycles (B): Modern nature conservation research also includes ecosystem process research. An assessment of ecosystem functions is based on an understanding of biogeochemical material cycles in landscapes. Therefore, control variables and mechanisms of the most important material flows in ecosystems are analyzed and discussed here. The focus is on understanding nutrient cycles in the soil, on material and energy exchange processes between soil, organisms and the atmosphere, and on the scientific development of risk assessment and management strategies.
• Biodiversity (C): Understanding organismic diversity and functional diversity is a core element of nature conservation expertise. The special importance attached to functional aspects offers a variety of links to the other areas of specialization. Proven and new quantitative methods for recording and evaluating vegetation and animal ecological information are used to recognize and understand changes in diversity and ecological functions. This serves as a basis for the well-founded choice of management strategies and as a starting point for an indicator-based analysis of landscapes.
• Ecosystem analysis and modeling (D): This pillar teaches the use of new tools for modeling, monitoring and landscape assessment. Understanding ecosystems requires a conceptual and methodological basis. Ecosystem modeling serves this purpose. For landscape management, the understanding of processes must also lead to recommendations for action. Methods of landscape analysis and assessment, environmental monitoring and the use of environmental information systems have become established for recording and characterizing the historical and current dynamics of biogeochemical material flows and biocoenoses as well as the possible effects of management measures. These analytical instruments are used in planning practice.