Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Explain the ecosystem concept and advantages and constraints of using ecosystems as a management unit.
- Identify ecological characteristics that might indicate a robust and high functioning ecosystem and be able to explain why these characteristics indicate a robust ecosystem.
- Recognize characteristics that might indicate a degraded ecosystem or an ecosystem potentially at risk of degradation and explain why these characteristics might lead to degradation.
- Describe various resource management approaches and their strengths and weaknesses.
- Develop management goals and objectives that consider sustainability as the core objective of ecosystem management.
- Recognize and explain the constraints and opportunities for ecosystem management within the context of management policy.
- Apply natural and social science knowledge and analytical tools in a management framework to address environmental issues.
- Think critically and analyze the ecology and management practices of a natural resource.
- Communicate ecological and policy aspects of natural resources in written, oral and graphic form.