The course combines elements of a classic lecture, group discussions, problem-based learning and fieldwork. Our aim is to balance participants' respect for complexity with a sense of possibility by providing examples from the vast solution space offered by ecological systems, such as e.g. green infrastructure to manage water. The class will include three excursions where the students will have the opportunity to discuss critical ongoing problematics faced by environmental managers.

applied ecology, resource management, forest ecosystems, trees, community ecology, species interactions, ecosystem functions and services, biodiversity, climate change

Fundamentals in Ecology (ENV 220)

- Understand the complexity of interactions and structures in ecosystems. Know how ecosystem processes, functions and services interact and feed back across multiple spatio-temporal scales (in general, plus in-depth case examples);

- Understand that biodiversity and the interaction between organisms are an integral part of ecosystems. Being aware that the link between biodiversity and process/function/service is rarely fully understood. Know how to honestly deal with this lack of understanding and can nevertheless find, critically analyze and communicate solutions.

- Understand the importance of ecosystem services for society.

Oral presentation (50%, individual grade) and written report (50%, group work)

• https://go.epfl.ch/ENV-422https://go.epfl.ch/ENV-422