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2025-2026 / PAYS0007-2

Landscape analysis and modeling

Duration

8h Th, 8h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in forests and natural areas engineering, professional focus2 crédits 

Lecturer

Jean-François Bastin

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course aims to provide the skills necessary to analyze and model forest landscapes - with a particular focus on forest condition, deforestation, and forest landscape restoration.

It begins with an introductory session that sets the general context regarding the state of forests, deforestation, and the restoration of forest ecosystems. The following sessions will be primarily analytical, enabling students to study the forests within their landscape of interest. A key objective will be to make use of AI-based tools to analyze forest landscapes by combining Google Earth Engine and RStudio. The course therefore includes a practical component, where students will learn how to compute relevant indicators on the maps of their chosen area.

The course content may be adjusted depending on pedagogical or scientific opportunities or constraints.

The course will be taught entirely in ENGLISH.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of the course, student will be able
(i) to understand and use the concepts of landscape spatial pattern; (ii) to understand and use indices of landscape pattern; (iii) to interpret the consequences of landscape pattern for landscape ecological functioning and (iv) to use their knowledge in landscape ecology to interpret and evaluate limitations in existing global products. 

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

prerequisite : Course of "Landscape ecology concepts". Basic course of ecology.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Classes are given live (except if advised differently by authorities due to the covid crisis) and will all include the presentation of practical exercices.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Classes are given live (except if advised differently by authorities due to the covid crisis) and will all include the presentation of practical exercices.

Individual and group exercises on the computer (self-planning but compulsory participation). Seminars. Individual or group readings of scientific articles in english.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Readings and course notes will be communicated during the lectures and provided by the MyULg system. A significant part will be in english.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Written work / report

Out-of-session test(s)


Further information:

Group report writing and oral defense of the report (25% written report, 25% presentation, 50% responses to questions).

Day of presentation either during the session or outside the session - to be decided with delegates

Work placement(s)

None.

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Presence at the theoretical courses is recommended. Every student has to understand well all aspects of the exercises, also for the group exercises which are organized by the students themselves.

Contacts

Professor Jean-François BASTIN (jfbastin@uliege.be)

Association of one or more MOOCs