Dates
| single appointment | We, 14.10.2026, 10:15 - We, 14.10.2026, 11:45 | C 40.176 Seminarraum |
| single appointment | We, 21.10.2026, 10:15 - We, 21.10.2026, 11:45 | C 7.307 Seminarraum |
| single appointment | We, 28.10.2026, 10:15 - We, 28.10.2026, 11:45 | C 40.108 Seminarraum |
| single appointment | We, 04.11.2026, 10:15 - We, 04.11.2026, 11:45 | C 40.108 Seminarraum |
| single appointment | We, 11.11.2026, 10:15 - We, 11.11.2026, 11:45 | C 40.530 Seminarraum |
| single appointment | We, 18.11.2026, 10:15 - We, 18.11.2026, 11:45 | C 40.108 Seminarraum |
| weekly | Wednesday | 10:15 - 11:45 | 25.11.2026 - 13.01.2027 | C 40.530 Seminarraum |
| single appointment | We, 20.01.2027, 10:15 - We, 20.01.2027, 11:45 | C 40.176 Seminarraum |
| single appointment | We, 27.01.2027, 10:15 - We, 27.01.2027, 11:45 | C 40.530 Seminarraum |
Curriculum context
Written Essay (50%)
Resit date: No resit date will be offered to this assessment, because it is didactically inseparably connected with one of the associated courses. A resit will only be possible, if the module is available again.
Organizational information
Registration
Die Anmeldung beginnt erst am 02.10.2026 um 08:00 Uhr. Sie endet am 12.10.2026 um 23:59 Uhr
Persons
Content
The conservation and restoration of species, habitats, and ecosystems are central to addressing some of the most pressing sustainability challenges of the 21st century. Healthy ecosystems are essential for maintaining biodiversity, regulating climate, supporting ecosystem functioning, and providing critical services and resources for human well-being.
This course provides an interdisciplinary overview of conservation biology and ecological restoration as key approaches for enhancing biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
Students will explore the scientific foundations of ecosystem conservation and restoration, examine global patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem degradation, and evaluate restoration strategies across diverse ecological and socio-environmental contexts.
Special emphasis is placed on the role of ecological restoration in addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, land degradation, and urban environmental challenges. Through case studies and contemporary examples, students will critically assess how restored ecosystems can function as resilient hubs that support both ecological integrity and sustainable development.
Course Topics
• Key drivers of biodiversity decline
• Conceptual Foundations of Conservation and Restoration Ecology
• Nature-based solutions: concepts, opportunities, and limitations
• Linking sustainability, conservation biology, and ecological restoration
• Principles and practices of ecological restoration
• Importance of native species in ecosystem conservation and restoration
• World biomes and their ecological characteristics
• Protected areas
• Global biodiversity hotspots
• Restoration and conservation networks
• Ecosystem-based climate mitigation and adaptation
• Urban ecosystem restoration
• Tropical restoration plantings as living labs
• Success stories and challenges in large-scale restoration
• Global Restoration Initiatives and Future Directions
• International conservation and restoration policies
Understand the key drivers of global biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
Evaluate the principles and applications of nature-based solutions for sustainability and climate adaptation.
Analyze the distribution and ecological significance of global biomes and biodiversity hotspots.
Understand the conceptual foundations of conservation biology and ecological restoration.
Assess the role of protected areas and restoration initiatives in biodiversity conservation.
Examine the contribution of healthy ecosystems to climate regulation.
Evaluate the importance of native species in conservation planning and restoration projects.
Critically assess restoration strategies in urban and rural landscapes.
Interpret global conservation frameworks and initiatives, including the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Use conservation assessment tools such as the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species to inform management and restoration decisions.
Evaluation
Further information on teaching evaluation: https://www.leuphana.de/en/teaching/quality-management/evaluation/course-evaluation.html