Module Code and Title: ECL302 Restoration
Ecology
Programme(s): BSc Environmental
Management
Credit Value: 12
Module Tutor(s): GP
Sharma (Coordinator)
Bach-Lien
Ngo
Samir Patel
General objective(s) of the module:
This module includes both the general theories
behind ecosystem restoration, taught through lectures and group discussions, and
field trips / projects designed to give students a more hands-on understanding
of these general principles. The module will also explore the diverse human
aspects of restoration, the various stakeholders involved in restoration,
including conservation non-governmental organizations, stewardship volunteer
groups, and environmental consultants. Students should come to understand that
like ecosystems themselves, ecological restoration is a multifaceted field –
successful restoration requires a good understanding of site-specific conditions,
ecosystem processes, monitoring and management.
Learning outcomes – Upon successful completion of the
module, students will be able to:
·
Explain
the ethics and reasons for restoring ecosystems.
·
Discuss
societal and ecological issues associated with ecological restoration.
·
Describe
the general guidelines for restoring an ecosystem.
·
Incorporate
a systems approach into restoration planning.
·
Prepare
and evaluate ecological restoration and management plans.
·
Explain
management approaches that can allow for mixed-use regions in or around
riparian areas.
·
Select
appropriate approaches for forest landscape restoration.
·
Recommend
ways to allow ruminant domestic livestock grazing without impairing forest and
grassland ecosystems.
·
Identify
the various ways and methods to mitigate forest fires in Bhutan.
·
Explain
the problems arising from invasive species in Bhutan.
·
Suggest
appropriate measures for controlling and eradicating invasive species.
·
Describe
potential restoration methods for use around built areas.
Learning and teaching approaches used:
The module will be
conducted over 15 teaching weeks as follows:
·
3
hrs/wk lecture & discussions.
·
1
hr/wk case studies, projects, brainstorming, guest lectures, seminars, group
activities, demonstrations, and panel discussions.
·
4
hrs/wk outside of class, on average, for independent study.
·
Independent
small-group field visits on group-wise topics related to: riparian restoration,
invasive species, rangeland management, and wildland forest fire management.
Assessment:
Semester-End
Examination (SE): 40%
Continuous
Assessment (CA): 60%
|
CA
Assessment
|
Weight
|
Assessment
Detail
|
|
Individual Assignment
|
15%
|
Argumentative essay of 1500 words.
|
|
Quizzes (2 x 5%)
|
10%
|
Two written quizzes of 30 min each.
|
|
Practical (field work)
|
20%
|
Group work (3-4 students) on restoration planning for
selected areas, culminating in a 20-30 min presentation.
|
|
Midterm Exam
|
15%
|
|
Pre-requisite knowledge: ENV101 Introduction to the Environment, ECL101 Principles of
Ecology, ENM202 Water Resources Management, BDC202 Biodiversity Conservation
and Management II
Subject matter:
I.
Introduction
a. Definition
and concepts
b. Ethics and
reasons for restoring ecosystems; differing values
c. Principles
and guidelines for ecological restoration
d. Key ecological
concepts underlying restoration
i.
Disturbance
ii.
Succession
iii.
Fragmentation
iv.
Ecosystem
functions
e. Society for
ecological restoration, international science & policy working group
II.
General
guidelines for ecosystem restoration
a. Assessing a
site
b. Developing project
goals
c. Removing
sources of disturbance
d. Eradicating
invasive species
e. Restorative
processes/natural disturbance cycles such as flood or fire cycles
f. Restoring
vegetation
g. Monitoring
and maintenance
III.
Riparian
ecology and management
a. Importance
of riparian zones; biofilter concept
b. Threats to
riparian zones
c. Wetland
conservation measures
d. Management
and monitoring
i.
Stream
bank reconfiguration
ii.
Livestock
grazing: rotational, premature, trampling
iii.
Roads
construction and management
iv.
Recreational
impacts on riparian areas
v.
Re-vegetation
and timber harvesting activities
vi.
Ramsar
convention and other related protocols
vii.
People's
participation and traditional knowledge
IV.
Wildland
fire management in Bhutan
a. History of
forest fire
b. Causes:
induced and natural
c. Stages of
forest fires
d. Effects of
forest fires in Bhutan
e. Management
and suppression of forest fires in Bhutan
i.
Role
of organizations, private sectors, local communities, academicians and other
ii.
Sustainable
land-use to prevent forest fire
iii.
Fire
management / suppression technologies, facilities and trainings
iv.
Public
polices and Nature Conservation Act
V.
Forest
Landscape Restoration
a. Possible
scopes
b. Aims and
desired outcomes
c. Tools and
methods
d. Case studies
VI.
Rangeland
management in Bhutan
a. Ruminant livestock
production system
b. Migratory
habits of the herders and grazing in forests; impacts and solutions
c. Statistics
for livestock numbers
d. Types of fodder
species in Bhutan
e. Opportunities
for improvement of fodder resources
i.
National
Grazing Policy
ii.
Presents
trends and future scenario
iii.
Pros
and cons of pasture land development
VII.
Invasive
Species Management in agriculture fields and along roads in Bhutan
a. Invasive
species definition
b. Characteristics
of invasive plants
c. Tools and
techniques for managing invasive species: chemical, biological, cultural
re-vegetation, physical
VIII.
Overview
of built-areas restoration
a. Erosion
control measures around built areas, e.g. roads
b. Protection
of settlements and agricultural areas using restoration measures
Essential Readings:
1. Allison, S.K.
(2012). Ecological Restoration and Environmental Change: Renewing Damaged
Ecosystems. Earthscan publications.
2. Bharucha, E.
(2010). Textbook for Environmental Studies for Undergraduate Courses.
University Grants Commission, Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Environmental
Education and Research, Pune, New Delhi.
3. Ministry of
Agriculture. (2001). Proceedings of the National Grazing Policy Workshop,
Bumthang, August 21-24, 2001. FIDI. Royal Government of Bhutan.
4. Parkyn, S.
(2004). Review of Riparian Buffer Zone Effectiveness. Ministry of Agriculture
and Forestry (New Zealand), www.maf.govt.nz/publications
5. Royal
Government of Bhutan, MOA/SFD FFMS. (2004). Annual forest Fire Evaluation and
Compilation Report, Thimphu, Bhutan.
6. Simberloff,
D. (2013). Invasive Species: What Everyone Needs to Know. Oxford University
Press, USA.
7. Society for
Ecological Restoration. (2004). The SER International Primer on Ecological
Restoration. (http://www.ser.org/resources/resources-detail-view/ser-internationalprimer-on-ecological-restoration).
Additional Readings:
1. Botkin, D.B.
(2011). Environmental Science, Earth as a Living Planet,8th Edition, John Wiley
and Sons Inc., USA.
2. Hobbs, R.
J., Higgs, E. S., and C. Hall. (2013). Novel Ecosystems: Intervening in the New
Ecological World Order. John Wiley & Sons.
3. International
Council for Science, (2002). ICSU Series on Science for Sustainable Development
No. 5: Science Education and Capacity Building for Sustainable Development.
Paris: ICSU
4. Kasemir, B.,
Jäger, J., Jaeger, C. C & Gardner, M. T. (2003), Public Participation in
Sustainability Science: A Handbook. Cambridge University Press.UK. New York
5. Miller,
G.T., and Spoolman, S.E. (2014). Environmental Science 14th Ed. New Delhi:
Cengage Learning.
6. National
Environmental Commission. (1998). The Middle Path: National Strategy for
Bhutan. National Environmental Commission. RGoB.
7. Schmandt, J
& Ward, C. H. (2000). Sustainable Development: The Challenge of Transition.
Cambridge University Press.UK.
Date last updated: May 30, 2015