Current Challenges in the Management of Norwegian Natural Resources

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1 Course Description Current Challenges in the Management of Norwegian Natural Resources 1. Why take the course? 2. Course participants 3. Course objectives 4. Course description 5. Grading policy 6. Course teachers 7. Practical information 8. Costs 9. Detailed course plan Why take the course? Situated in the northwestern corner of Europe, and covering latitudes from 58 ºN to 80 ºN (Spitsbergen), Norway offers unique possibilities for those who are interested in nature, biodiversity, ecology, and management of natural resources. For students who want to learn more about natural resources in Norway, experience Norwegian high mountain areas, and learn how resources are protected and exploited, this course is for you. In Norway, there is free access to all areas, public and private, outside farm fields. Both summer and winter, these areas are used by a high proportion of the population, for hiking, skiing, hunting, fishing and berry gathering. Wildlife resources like moose, red deer, reindeer, roe-deer and ptarmigans are extensively exploited by some hundred thousand hunters. Forest and mountain areas are also used for sheep and domestic reindeer herding. These domestic animals are increasingly becoming prey for large carnivores such as bears, wolves and wolverines, which has given rise to heated conflicts between farming and environmental interests. Freshwater fish are exploited mainly by recreational fishermen, but to some extent also by commercial fishermen. Climate change, introduction of alien species, acidification, water regulations, and overexploitation are all challenges facing the management of Norwegian biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources. Course participants Students must have an interest in the management of natural resources and should have completed basic courses in biology and/or ecology. The course is designed for 3 rd to 4 th year undergraduates and Master-level students. 1

2 Course objectives Upon completion of the course, students should be able to: Easily recognize plant communities, freshwater fish and wildlife in Norway Identify main ecological effects of the exploitation of wildlife, freshwater fish and plant communities Explain different approaches to the (sustainable) management of natural resources Identify main ecological threats and changes influencing Norwegian ecosystems, and ecosystems in the northern hemisphere, in general Carry out methods for data collection and registration in the field Course description The course will cover: Important wildlife species, their ecology and management Management of large predators The most common freshwater fish species, their ecology and management Vegetation ecology and vegetation types, with management challenges Alpine and arctic plant communities Nature protection and national park policy in Norway The course consists of lectures, seminars/colloquiums, field demonstrations, and reading materials. Before arrival in Norway, students will have familiarized themselves with background material and literature accessed via the virtual learning environment Classfronter. The course will formally start with one week of lectures and seminars at The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), followed by a 7- day field excursion to the mountain areas of Heimdalen/Jotunheimen, and a final week at UMB The first part of the field course will be held at a field station situated at the lake Øvre (Upper) Heimdalsvatn. In Øvre Heimdalen, alpine plant communities, and the fish community in the lake and its outflow and inflow streams will be studied. Population dynamics of brown trout in interaction with the alien species European minnow will be especially treated. Gillnetting, beach seining, trapping, and electrofishing are used for sampling brown trout and European minnow. Lectures and colloquiums are arranged in the evenings. To cap the field course, we will hike into the Besseggen area of Jotunheimen National Park to demonstrate terrain abrasion as an effect of mass hiking in a vulnerable area. Upon returning from the field course to the University at Ås, students will have a final week of study and guidance before taking the final exam. Grading policy Assessment will be based on a 5 hour written examination, which will be graded on an A-F scale. A passing grade will give 10 study points. In addition, students can complete a written assignment for an extra 2 study points. This assignment will be due the first of October. 2

3 Course teachers Teachers contributing to the course are all members of the faculty at Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management. Each faculty member is highly qualified within his/her field of interest, with extensive international research experience from tropical forests to arctic tundra. They also have long experience in teaching at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels. Two teachers are American, and one is British, although they have lived in Norway for more than 30 years. The other teachers are Norwegian. Practical information The students have to bring personal equipment for outdoor life, i.e. clothing and shoes for all kinds of weather at elevations between 1100 and 1400 m.a.s.l., sleeping bags etc. The hiking trip over Besseggen is dependent on good weather. Shoes for walking in stony terrain are necessary for this trip. Those who are interested in brown trout fishing may bring their fishing rods etc. Costs The Norwegian government covers tuition. If accepted, students will be invoiced USD (EUR 1 300) for: transportation from/to Oslo International Airport (Gardermoen); accommodation and evening meals on campus; transportation, accommodation and all meals connected to the fieldwork; assigned literature and arranged social activities. Students would cover their own airfare to and from Oslo International Airport (Gardermoen) plus travel insurance. Students should also calculate USD 120 (EUR 100) per week for additional meals and pocket money. Back to top Detailed course plan March-May Minimum two weeks of self-study based on course literature June 7: Students arrive at Ås, UMB June Welcome and introduction to the course 1115 Norwegian wild reindeer populations, their ecology and management (Associate Professor Jonathan Colman) Lunch 1315 Norwegian wild reindeer continued Domestic reindeer herding by the Sami people conflicts and ecological effects (Associate Professor Jonathan Colman) Discussion June Freshwater fish in Norway: main species, ecology and life histories Effects of climate change on high mountain fish populations (Professor Reidar Borgstrøm) : Effects of aquaculture on wild salmonid populations 3

4 Exploitation and Management of freshwater fish (Professor Reidar Borgstrøm) Evening: Picnic, Lake Årungen June 10 Trip to Oslo and visit to the Viking Museum, Vigeland Sculpture Park, Nobel Peace Center, Botanical Garden and Zoological Museum, etc. June Vegetation types and management challenges (Post Doc. Kari Klanderud) Effects of environmental change on plant communities in Norwegian alpine and arctic areas (Post. Doc. Kari Klanderud) Lunch Effects of climate change on plant communities in Norwegian alpine and arctic areas (Post. Doc. Kari Klanderud) Norwegian national parks and their management (Professor Sigmund Hågvar) Wilderness recreation and management of protected areas (PhD Candidate Stian Stensland) Discussion June Acidification of Norwegian fresh waters ecological effects and mitigation efforts (Professor Bjørn Olav Rosseland) Ecotoxicological problems in Norwegian ecosystems (Professor Bjørn Olav Rosseland) Seminar June Moose ecology and management (Associate Professor Olav Hjeljord) Re-establishing wolves in Norway management policy (Associate Professor Olav Hjeljord) Ptarmigan The most important upland game species in Norway (Associate Professor Olav Hjeljord) Seminar June Ecology of the brown bear in Scandinavia (Professor Jon E. Swenson) Hunting bears Do we understand what we are doing? (Professor Jon E. Swenson) Comparison of management and compensation systems of large carnivores in Norway and Sweden (Professor Jon E. Swenson) 4

5 Comparison of wildlife management systems in Norway and Montana, USA (Professor Jon E. Swenson) June 15 Departure for field work at Lake Øvre Heimdalsvatn (Jotunheimen mountain area) June Field demonstrations, with lectures/colloquiums in the evenings: Alpine plant communities and possible effects of environmental changes (Post. Doc. Kari Klanderud) The fish community of the lake Øvre Heimdalsvatn: Samplings and studies of brown trout and European minnow (Professor Reidar Borgstrøm) The Chernobyl accident and effects on Norwegian high mountain ecosystems (Professor John E. Brittain) June20 June 21 Excursion to Jotunheimen National Park, hiking trip Gjendesheim- Memurubu over Besseggen (about 7 hours of hiking) Return to UMB, Ås June Preparation for the examination, in close cooperation with teachers June 29 Written examination July-September Writing a course assignment; minimum one week Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), PO Box 5003, 1432 Ås, Norway 5