Prerequisite:

Completed second-cycle Bologna degree in a relevant field or a university degree of level VII.

Content (Syllabus outline):

This course explores the concept of ecosystem services related to land use, and examines their capacities, limitations, and applications in environmental policy and management. Students acquire theoretical knowledge, practical experience, and hands-on fieldwork to assess and communicate ecosystem services, with an emphasis on real-world applications and critical thinking.

The content is divided into three main parts, as following:

1. Theoretical part ‒ Different classifications and types of ecosystem services; limits of applying the ecosystem services concept; recent trends in global research.
2. Practical part ‒ Potential application of ecosystem services in policy and landscape management based on land use; assessment, valuation and trade-offs; ethical considerations; integrating ecosystem services with governance.
3. Fieldwork ‒ Hands-on exercises and insights into data collection; reflection on human benefits from the environment.

The theme is linked to other concepts such as land use, climate change, biodiversity, natural resource use, nature based solutions, governing of common-pool resources and human well-being. The course supports sustainable management and the transition to resilient societies

Readings:

• Millenium Ecosystem Assesment (2005). Ecosystems and human well-being: Synthesis. Washington. https://www.millenniumassessment.org/documents/document.356.aspx.pdf
• Fisher, B., Turner, R. K., Morling, P. (2009). Defining and classifying ecosystem services for decision making. Ecological Economics 68. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2008.09.014
• de Groot, R. S., Alkemade, R., Braat, L., Hein, L., Willemen, L. (2010). Challenges in integrating the concept of ecosystem services and values in landscape planning, management and decision making. Ecological Complexity 7-3, 260-272.
• Howe, C., Suich, H., Virac, B., Macea, G. M. (2014). Creating win-wins from trade-offs? Ecosystem services for human well-being: A meta-analysis of ecosystem service trade-offs and synergies in the real world. Global Environmental Change 28(1): 263-275.
• Loft L., Mann, C., Hansjürgens, B., (2015). Challenges in ecosystem-services governance: Multi-levels, multi-actors, multi-rationalities. Ecosystem Services 16, 150-157.
• Heydinger, J. M., (2016). Reinforcing the Ecosystem Services Perspective: The Temporal Component. Ecosystems 19: 661-673. DOI: 10.1007/s10021-016-9959-0
• Bennet, E. M. (2017). Research Frontiers in Ecosystem Service Science. Ecosystems 20, 31–37.
• Burkhard, B., Maes, J. (Eds) (2017). Mapping Ecosystem Services. Advanced Books. https://doi.org/10.3897/ab.e12837
• Haines-Young, R.H., Potschin, M.B. (2018). Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES) v.5.1 and Guidance on the Application of the Revised Structure. Fabis Consulting Ltd., Nottingham. https://doi.org/10.3897/oneeco.3.e27108.

Objectives and competences:

The  mainly contributes to the development of the following general and specific competences:

• Knowledge of ecosystem services, their roles and assessment methods;
• Familiarity with different approaches to ecosystem services assessment and valuation;
• Skills to analyse environmental problems and interactions between humans and nature;
• Ability to critically reflect on the role of society in the environment;
• Research work skills.
• Understanding of ES examples at different spatial levels

Intended learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Explain the concept of ‘ecosystem services’ and the different types of ecosystem services;
• Apply methods and approaches for mapping and assessing ecosystem services;
• Analyse the dilemmas associated and trade-offs associated with ecosystem valuation;
• Critically evaluate policies and management strategies using the ecosystem services framework;
• Integrate ecosystem services concept into future research or professional practice relevant for policy-making

Learning and teaching methods:

Types of learning/teaching:

• Frontal teaching
• Independent students work
• e-learning

Teaching methods:

• Explanation
• Conversation/discussion/debate
• Work with texts
• Case studies
• Solving exercises
• Field work (e.g. company visits)
• Inviting guests from companies

Assessment:

• Long written assignments (80 %)
• Presentations (20 %)

Lecturer’s references:

• Burkhard, B., Šmid Hribar, M., et al. (2018). Mapping and assessing ecosystem services in the EU-Lessons learned from the ESMERALDA approach of integration. One Ecosystem 3: e29153. https://doi.org/10.3897/oneeco.3.e291
• Ribeiro, D., Šmid Hribar, M. (2019). Assessment of land-use changes and their impacts on ecosystem services in two Slovenian rural landscapes. Acta Geographica Slovenica 59 (2), 143-159.
• Rodela, R., Tucker, C.M., Šmid Hribar, M., Sigura, M., Bogataj, N., Urbanc, M., Gunya, A. (2019). Intersections of ecosystem services and common-pool resources literature: An interdisciplinary encounter. Environmental Science and Policy 94, 72–81.
• Šmid Hribar, M., Japelj, A., Vurunić, S. (2021). Sistematično kartiranje raziskav o ekosistemskih storitvah v Sloveniji. Geografski vestnik, 93-1. https://doi.org/10.3986/GV93101
• Tucker, C. M., Šmid Hribar, M., Urbanc, M., Bogataj, N., Gunya, A., Rodela, R., Sigura, M., Piani, L. (2023). Governance of interdependent ecosystem services and common-pool resources. Land Use Policy 127. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2023.106575
• Walther, F. E., Šmid Hribar, M., Ribeiro, D., et al. (2025). Uncertainties in ecosystem services assessments and their implications for decision support – a semi-systematic literature review. Ecosystem services 73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2025.101714