Academic Year:
2025/26
571 - Degree in Environmental Sciences
25266 - Ecosystem restoration
Teaching Plan Information
Academic year:
2025/26
Subject:
25266 - Ecosystem restoration
Faculty / School:
201 - Escuela Politécnica Superior
Degree:
571 - Degree in Environmental Sciences
Ambit:
Environmental sciences and ecology
ECTS:
6.0
Year:
3 and 4
Semester:
First term
Subject type:
Optional
Module:
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1. General information
The subject aims to enable students to understand the complexity of the practice of ecological restoration, familiarizing them with the most common methodologies, tools, terminology and techniques.
The main objectives of the subject are to show the theoretical bases of restoration; the main tools for its implementation; and to review different projects developed for a wide range of degraded ecosystems.
The objectives of the subject are aligned with the Objectives (15.1, 15.2, 15.3) of Goal 15 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and with the State Strategy for Green Infrastructure and Ecological Connectivity and Restoration.
This subject is linked to other in the curriculum: Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Projects, Protected Areas, Management and Conservation of Flora and Fauna.
2. Learning results
In order to pass this subject, the students shall demonstrate they has acquired the following results:
1. -Carry out field diagnostics on the conservation status of ecosystems based on the activity of geomorphological and biological processes.
2. -Identify key ecological processes in the functioning of restored ecosystems.
3. -Describe and explain the components of an ecosystem restoration project.
4. -Describe the labour market situation in ecosystem restoration.
These learning results are aligned with Objectives (15.1, 15.2, 15.3) of Goal 15 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
3. Syllabus
Theory program:
Module I. Introduction to the Restoration of Degraded Spaces
Module II. Scientific basis of restoration
Module III. Restoration techniques
Module IV. Case study analysis
Practical activities program:
Contents and structure of a restoration project
Keys to the execution, management and development of a restoration project
Analysis of restoration projects in the fields of mining, agroecosystems, forests and pastures, wetlands, urban environments and linear infrastructures.
4. Academic activities
Master classes: 30 hours
Theoretical sessions in which the contents of the subject are explained. The sessions will include presentations by students and lectures by the teacher. Others will correspond to the participation of invited experts and to presentation of seminars prepared by the students.
Field Trips:
Two day-long field trips will be conducted: one lasting 8 hours and the other 4 hours. These trips will involve visits to actual restoration projects and to an area where students are required to design a restoration project. Students must submit a report in the form of an expert opinion for the first trip and another in the form of a restoration project.
Practical Sessions in the Office:
Three two-hour office sessions will be held to guide students in writing their practice reports on the restoration project.
5. Assessment system
This subject offers the possibility of continuous evaluation, for which it is recommended to attend at least 80% of the face-to-face activities. In this case, the following evaluation activities will be essential:
- Two face-to-face written tests on the theory part of the syllabus that will be averaged (70% of the grade), for which a minimum grade of 4.5 out of ten must be obtained in each of them. Each test may include short answer and essay questions. Each of the tests will evaluate approximately half of the program of the subject.
- Elaboration of a report of the practices as a whole (30%).
In order to pass the subject by means of continuous evaluation, at least the theory part and the practical part must be passed. The theory grade (from the two written tests) will not be saved for the final exam. The grade for the practices will be saved for the final exam.
Complementary activities may be carried out to improve the overall grade. In any case, all students have the right to take the overall written and classroom test at the end of the term according to the PS exam schedule for those who do not pass the subject by this method, those who have not attended the activities or those who want to improve their grade.
The global evaluation test will consist of the following activities:
- Presentation of a general report of the practices as a whole (25%).
- Written and face-to-face test at the end of the term according to the PS exam schedule (75% of the grade). Each test may include short answer and essay questions.
The success rate in the subject for the last three years is 90.91% (academic year 21-22), 87,5% (academic year 22-23) and 100% (academic year 23-24)
6. Sustainable Development Goals
12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
15 - Life on land