This short course is delivered to introduce you to a variety of tools that measure and quantify landscape components at different scales and to understand them in the context of their field of expertise priorities and regulations.

Landscape ecology emphasises the interactions between spatial patterns and ecological processes, that is, the causes and consequences of spatial heterogeneity in a range of scales (Turner et al. 2001). 

Landscape ecology provides a foundational framework for problem solving, decision making and planning in land restoration, ecological conservation and natural resources management. It covers topics related to structure, function and change and it provides the necessary tools to select the appropriate methods to test spatial hypothesis and solve problems at multiple scales.

At a glance

  • Dates
    • Please enquire for course dates
  • DurationFive days
  • LocationCranfield campus
  • Cost£1,400 - Standard (20% discount for Cranfield alumni, 10% discount for colleagues of alumni) £1,340 - Professional/trade association discount £1,280 - Multiple bookings*

    * Minimum of 5 delegates.


What you will learn

On successful completion of this short course you will be able to:

  • Explain the key elements of a landscape,
  • Discuss the importance of scale in landscape ecology related questions,
  • Design strategies to quantify spatial patterns, spatial structures, and species at the relevant scales,
  • Select the appropriate quantitative methods to test spatial hypotheses, solve problems, inform monitoring programs, and interpret the findings in the context of conservation priorities and conservation law,
  • Evaluate monitoring data to guide decision making in ecosystem management.

Core content

  • Introduction to landscape ecology,
  • Landscape elements (eg. mosaics, corridor and patches),
  • Ordination methods and indices (eg. diversity indices) and landscape metrics (eg. spatial pattern metrics),
  • Landscape fragmentation, connectivity, scale and hierarchy,
  • Species population and sampling, National vegetation classification,
  • Introduction to point pattern analysis: pedometrics,
  • Resource survey classification and land use assessment,
  • Biodiversity, criteria for assessing conservation importance and conservation law.

Upgrade to a professional qualification

Cranfield credits are available for this short course which you can put towards selected Cranfield degrees. Find out more about short course credit points.

Speakers

  • Dr Ron Corstanje
  • Dr Andrew Gill
  • Professor Jim Harris
  • Dr Monica Rivas Casado
  • Accommodation options and prices

    This is a non-residential course. If you would like to book accommodation on campus, please contact Mitchell Hall or Cranfield Management Development Centre directly. Further information regarding our accommodation on campus can be found here.

    Alternatively you may wish to make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel.

    Location and travel

    Cranfield University is situated in Bedfordshire close to the border with Buckinghamshire. The University is located almost midway between the towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes and is conveniently situated between junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.

    London Luton, Stansted and Heathrow airports are 30, 90 and 90 minutes respectively by car, offering superb connections to and from just about anywhere in the world.

    For further location and travel details

    Location address

    Cranfield University
    College Road 
    Cranfield 
    Bedford
    MK43 0AL

    Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.