Principles and techniques associated with the enhancement and
restoration of degraded landscapes within an aesthetic
framework. Case studies focus on stream and wetland systems in
southeastern United States. Field trips allow participants to
observe and critically analyze projects at the site scale.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Graduate students will synthesize theoretical frameworks and identify gaps in current criteria while proposing methodological improvements. They will critique evaluation matrices, lead undergraduate discussion, and mentor undergraduate students. They will also design their own analytical frameworks, justify methodological choices, and compare multiple assessment approaches. Reflection journals will be used that use DEAL Model for Critical Reflection – Describe, Examine, and Articulate Learning.
Athena Title
Ecol Landscape Restoration
Undergraduate Pre or Corequisite
LAND 1500 or LAND 1500E or LAND 2510 or LAND 2510E or LAND 2520 or LAND 2520E or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will summarize and justify ecological benefit of enhancement or restoration case studies of grassland, savanna, forest, stream, and wetland areas. Measurement: Applied project.
Students will explain principles of landscape restoration and techniques of restoration design. Measurement: Applied project.
Students will recognize and describe the aesthetic values that contribute to ecological design. Measurement: Applied project.
Students will read the landscape to classify and explain ecological functions. Measurement: Applied project.
Students will prioritize interventions to improve ecological function. Measurement: Applied project.
Students will combine the art of landscape restoration and human dimensions to underpin designs for project sites.
Students will gain a basic understanding of principles and techniques of landscape restoration and enhancement at the site scale.
Students will relate and balance ecological processes with the art of landscape restoration.
Students will understand landscape trajectories and critically analyze associated restoration and enhancement success criteria.
Students will understand the site inventory, analyses, design, and mechanics of implementing stream and wetland restoration and enhancement projects.
Students will become familiar with selected case studies in grassland, savanna, forest, stream, and wetland restorations.
Students will understand adaptive management and associated management practices.
Topical Outline
Course Introduction
Reading the Landscape
Landscape Restoration
Urban Ecology
Green Infrastructure
Low Impact Development
Ecosystem Engineering
Meadow Restoration
Stream Enhancement
Stream Restoration
Aesthetics
Wildlife Considerations
Research Project
Review and Final Project
Undergrads: Evaluate built projects with established landscape performance criteria
Grads: Synthesize theoretical frameworks, identify gaps in current criteria while proposing methodological improvements
Undergrads: Identify strengths/weaknesses of landscape interventions
Grads: Critique evaluation matrices
Undergrads: Complete individual assignments
Grads: Lead undergraduate discussion and mentor undergrad students
Undergrads: Use provided templates for analysis
Grads: Design their own analytical frameworks, justify methodological choices, and compare multiple assessment approaches
Undergrads: Reflection journals based on What/So What/Now What
Grads: Reflection journal that use DEAL Model for Critical Reflection – Describe, Examine, and Articulate Learning
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
