Landscape ecology emphasises the interactions between spatial patterns and ecological processes. Bridging concepts and tools from natural and social sciences, landscape ecology provides a toolbox to quantify and model biodiversity and ecosystem services, essential to support decision-making and landscape planning towards restoration, conservation, and management across scales. Combining lectures and hands-on sessions, this course will provide attendees with an updated overview of the concepts and methods used to grasp landscape patterns, processes, and social-ecological dynamics.
After completion of this 4-day course attendees will gain knowledge regarding:
. Foundations of landscape ecology and basic concepts;
. Patterns, processes and social-ecological dynamics at the landscape level;
. State-of-the-art methods and tools used in landscape research;
. Quantification of landscape attributes using (spatially-explicit) landscape metrics;
. Analysis and modelling of biodiversity patterns using landscape attributes;
. Valuation of landscapes using an ecosystem services approach.
PROGRAM
Day 1 | Introduction to Landscape Ecology
[Morning: Foundations]
- Course Introduction and Objectives
- Foundations of landscape ecology and basic concepts
- Drivers of landscape patterns and dynamics (Introduction)
[Afternoon: Hands-on session]
- Spatially-explicit quantification of landscape attributes using landscape metrics
Day 2 | Drivers of landscape patterns and dynamics
[Morning: Foundations]
- Patterns, processes and social-ecological dynamics at the landscape level
[Afternoon: Hands-on session]
- Assessing landscape attributes in space and time
Day 3 | State-of-the-art methods and tools used in landscape research
[Morning: Foundations]
- Overview of methods applied to landscape modelling
[Afternoon: Hands-on session]
- The REMAINS R package: Paving the way for fire-landscape modelling and management
Day 4 | Social-ecological valuation of rural landscapes
[Morning: Foundations]
- Valuation of landscapes using an ecosystem services approach
[Afternoon: Hands-on session]
- Students reporting and general discussion
The official language of the course will be English. The course was developed for MSc and PhD students, and early career researchers. Participants should use their personal laptops for the course and will be required to install specific software on their laptops before the course. Instructions will be sent by email prior to the start of the course. Basic knowledge of R (R software: http://www.r-project.org/) is mandatory and previous contact with QGIS (https://www.qgis.org/) desirable.CALENDAR 4 days - 24 hours - Schedule: 10:00 - 13:00 & 14:00 - 17:00
COURSE INSTRUCTORS
Coordination
Adrián Regos | Misión Biolóxica de Galicia (MBG) – CSIC, ES
Instructors
Silvana Pais | Centre de Ciència i Tecnologia Forestal de Catalunya (CTFC), ES
SELECTION CRITERIA
The course will be open to a maximum number of 15 participants.
75% of available student slots are reserved for BIODIV students.
Priority will be given to:
• 1st year and other PhD students attending the BIODIV Doctoral Program;
• PhD students attending other courses;
• Other post-graduate students and researchers.
(A minimum number of participants is required for the course to take place)
APPLICATION
Deadline: 24 April 2026
A copy of your submitted form will be sent to the email address you provided. This email is your confirmation that the application was successfully submitted.
If you don't receive this email, your application was not successfully submitted.
We will email you the results within 10 working days after the application deadline.
REGISTRATION
80€ (students) | 150€ (other participants).
BIOPOLIS/ CIBIO members will have an additional discount of 20%.
Participation is free of charge for BIODIV Students (M BGE & PhD) & CIBIO's TwinLabs members.
(If applicable, payment will be made to Associação BIOPOLIS - VAT No. 516033727. Information on the payment amount and the payment deadline will be sent together with the results notification, and a proforma invoice may be issued in due time).
MORE INFORMATION
Registration fees do not include accommodation or meals.
No ECTS credits are awarded for attending the course. Participants receive a certificate of attendance without quantitative evaluation.
CONTACT
Education & Training Unit (Post graduation office)
+351 252 660 425
