UTM1176 Large predator ecology and management

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Course content

Species focus mainly on bears, wolves, lynx, wolverines, golden eagles and polar bears.
The main focus will be on Norway and Sweden, with international comparisons from Europe and cross-continental.
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

Knowledge

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.

Skills

The student will;

Acquire field skills associated with recognizing tracks / signs and monitoring of large predators, and do 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.

General competence

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.

Teaching and working methods

Required coursework

One week field excursion
One day of theoretical and practical exercise about necropsies of predator-killed livestock
One oral group presentation

Form of assessment

Assessments

Form of assessment	Grading scale	Grouping	Duration of assessment	Support materials	Proportion	Comment
Written examination with invigilation	ECTS - A-F	Individual	3 Hour(s)

Professional overlap

Name	Credits	Date	Comment
6EV176 Rovviltøkologi og forvaltning	7,5

No reading list available for this course

Faculty

Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology

Department

Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management