Resource Dynamics and Sustainable Utilization

This course deals with the extraction of resources from natural ecosystems. Resource use includes the exploitation of timber, the collection of fruits and resin, the extraction of wood for biomass production, and hunting of wildlife. Ideally such resources are exploited in a sustainable way, but how should that be defined? And how is sustainable resource use quantified? These and other questions will be investigated. You will get hands-on experience in quantifying effects of resource utilization on future resource availability and ecosystem characteristics.
In this course we will consider the following topics:

1. Status of resources exploited from natural ecosystems worldwide: timber, non-timber, wildlife
2. Exploitation as a conservation strategy
3. Quantification of availability of timber and wildlife as resources
4. Analysis of the natural dynamics of populations or ecosystems providing resources
5. Effects of exploitation on future resource availability

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:

• Explain the status of natural resource use and the concept of exploitation in conservation
• Analyse the availability, variability and value of natural resources using inventory data
• Apply simple modelling tools to evaluate resource dynamics, effects of resource use and future resource availability
• Evaluate the sustainability of a resource use system and provide management advice
• Reflect on the concept of sustainability and the role of science and scientists in evaluating this

Mandatory Knowledge:
ZSS06200 Fieldwork Safety
Assumed Knowledge:
Bachelor in Biology, Forest and Nature Conservation, Plant Science or similar.

https://wur.osiris-student.nl/onderwijscatalogus/extern/cursus?cursusid=820216&taal=en