UTM1176 Large predator ecology and management
- Course codeUTM1176
- Number of credits7,5
- Teaching semester2025 Autumn
- Language of instructionEnglish
- CampusEvenstad
- Required prerequisite knowledge
None
- Species focus mainly on bears, wolves, lynx, wolverines, with additional mention of golden eagles and polar bears.
- The main focus will be on Norway and Sweden, with international comparisons from Europe.
- The basic ecology, life-history, behaviour and physiology of the species, with an understanding of the ways that research projects have accumulated this knowledge over time. This includes an understanding of different research methodology.
- The diverse social and economic conflicts that are associated with large predator conservation.
- The history and development of large predator management over time.
- The legal and administrative framework that regulates large predator management.
- The various methods and strategies that are used to address conflicts, including zoning, population regulation, livestock protection and compensation.
- Methods of population monitoring.
- Practical skills in recognition of tracks and signs, including examination of livestock
Learning Outcome
When finished the course, the student;
- Has knowledge of the ecology of the large predators that are found in Norway / Europe
- Will understand the legal frames and practices of historical and current predator management strategies in Scandinavia, including a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of different actors and agencies.
- Will gain insights into how different research approaches and disciplines contribute to generating a holistic understanding of complex issues.
- Has knowledge of current methods of population monitoring and damage assessment, from both conceptual and practical perspectives
- Has knowledge of the diversity of conflicts associated with large predators and their management, and with different strategies to address these conflicts.
The student will;
- Acquire field skills associated with recognizing tracks / signs and monitoring of large predators, and understand the procedures for conducting necropsies of predator-killed livestock.
- Gain familiarity with the apps, databases, and web-solutions routinely used in large predator monitoring and management – SkandObs, Rovbase. Rovdata.
- Develop an ability to constructively discuss this complex topic with diverse stakeholders based on an understanding of the social, political and economic complexity of the issue.
The student will;
- Understand how the ecology of the species, politics and the socio-economic context of Norway and neighboring countries influence the nature of conflicts and way that they are managed
- Better understand the importance of spatio-temporal knowledge, i.e. the importance of scale and history.
- Develop an in-depth understanding of the routine procedures of present day large predator management in Scandinavia.
- Gain perspective on how Norwegian management compares to that in Sweden and other European countries.
- Lectures, seminars, debates and group presentations.
- Presentations by diverse external actors with different positions.
- Excursions and field activities
- Three to four day field excursion
- One day of learning about necropsies of predator-killed livestock
- One oral group presentation
| Form of assessment | Grading scale | Grouping | Duration of assessment | Support materials | Proportion | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written examination with invigilation | ECTS - A-F | Individual | 3 Hour(s) |
Reading list
No reading list available for this course