Landscape Ecology Fundamentals

Simona R. Gradinaru is a Land System Scientist at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), where she studies urban and peri-urban landscapes as socio-ecological systems. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Bucharest in 2015, where she later led two postdoctoral projects focused on integrating food provision in urban policies. Her research journey includes a Fulbright Scholarship at Michigan State University in 2018, studying the impact of policies on urbanization patterns. As Secretary General of the European chapter of the International Association for Landscape Ecology and Editorial Board member for prestigious journals, she actively shapes the field of landscape ecology. Her work combines landscape ecological concepts with planning and policy applications, contributing to the understanding of landscape transformation processes. Gradinaru's research focuses on providing new insights into ways landscape ecological concepts and knowledge can support planning and policy, particularly in urban and peri-urban contexts. Her contributions have been recognized through various awards, including the Excellence Award for Young Researchers in Planning from the Romanian Association of Planners.

Fabian Fopp is a Teaching Coordinator in the Ecosystems and Landscape Evolution research group at ETH Zurich. He specializes in investigating biodiversity patterns across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in Switzerland, employing range mapping and species distribution modeling to understand environmental factors that shape diversity patterns. As the teaching coordinator, he oversees several bachelor and master courses focused on environmental data science, eDNA for biodiversity monitoring, and spatial analysis in R. His work combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications in spatial modeling for environmental system sciences students. Fopp's research interests focus on understanding how environmental factors influence species distribution and diversity patterns in Swiss ecosystems. As a guest scientist at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, he contributes to research on Swiss ecosystem diversity patterns and develops innovative approaches to biodiversity monitoring and assessment.

Loïc Pellissier is a Professor of Ecosystems and Landscape Evolution at ETH Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) since 2015. Born in Martigny, Switzerland, he completed his Ph.D. at the University of Lausanne in 2012, followed by postdoctoral research at the Arctic Research Center at Aarhus University in Denmark. His research integrates ecological and evolutionary mechanisms with paleo-environmental reconstructions to understand biodiversity patterns across different spatial and temporal scales. Pellissier develops innovative methods for modeling biodiversity across landscapes and tracking ecosystem changes using advanced monitoring technologies, having produced significant contributions including comprehensive species range maps for marine fishes globally. His work investigates how climate change affects both terrestrial and marine ecosystems, developing trait-based mechanistic models to quantify potential ecological responses. At ETH Zurich, he leads several courses including Landscape Ecology and Environmental DNA for Biodiversity Monitoring, while emphasizing the importance of understanding biodiversity decline and developing solutions, particularly noting that over a third of species and more than half of habitats in Switzerland are endangered. Through his research and teaching, Pellissier continues to advocate for evidence-based approaches to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management, integrating multiple disciplines to address complex environmental challenges.

Felix Kienast is a retired Adjunct Professor for Landscape Ecology at ETH Zurich, where he served from 2007 to 2023, and a visiting scientist at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL). He earned his Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Zurich and pioneered landscape modeling research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the 1980s. Since 1988, his research at WSL has focused on GIS-assisted landscape models, human-landscape interactions, and multidisciplinary landscape monitoring. His distinguished career includes serving as President of the International Association for Landscape Ecology (2011-2015) and holding editorial positions for several prestigious journals including Landscape Ecology and Environmental Management. Kienast has published over 140 papers in landscape ecology and edited "A Changing World - Challenges for Landscape Research" in the Springer Landscape Series. His work has significantly advanced the field of landscape ecology through the development of innovative modeling approaches and the integration of social and ecological perspectives in landscape research. At ETH Zurich, he has been instrumental in developing e-learning initiatives and teaching courses such as "Forests and Landscapes," combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications in landscape management.

Gregor Martius is a Course Designer and Coordinator at ETH Zurich and WSL, holding master's degrees in both Environmental Science and Software Engineering. He specializes in designing and developing innovative educational projects, combining his technical expertise with environmental knowledge. As a key contributor to ETH Zurich's Landscape Ecology MOOC, he has been responsible for course design, multimedia production, and overall project coordination. His work focuses on creating engaging and effective educational experiences that bridge the gap between environmental science and digital learning. Martius's unique combination of environmental and software engineering backgrounds enables him to develop innovative approaches to teaching complex ecological concepts through digital platforms.

Janet Silbernagel is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, combining expertise in landscape ecology with design principles to advance conservation strategies. She holds degrees in Landscape Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and both an M.S. and Ph.D. from Michigan Technological University in Forest and Cultural Ecology and Forest Science/Landscape Ecology. Her career spans over 25 years, including work with the U.S. Forest Service as a landscape architect and ecologist before entering academia. As director of professional graduate programs at the Nelson Institute, she developed innovative programs in Environmental Conservation and Environmental Observation and Informatics. Silbernagel serves as President of the North American Chapter of the International Association for Landscape Ecology and co-editor of the Springer Landscape Series. Her research focuses on regional conservation strategies using geospatial analysis and cultural insights, collaborating with organizations like the International Crane Foundation and The Nature Conservancy. In 2017, she conducted research as a fellow at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow, & Landscape Research (WSL), contributing to projects on ecosystem services mapping, landscape connectivity modeling, and instructional design

Sima Fakheran is an Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences at Isfahan University of Technology and serves as Vice President of the International Association for Landscape Ecology (IALE). After completing her Ph.D. at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, she established the Iranian chapter of IALE and has served as its president since 2012. Her research focuses on landscape pattern changes, biodiversity impacts, road network ecology, corridor design, and conservation planning. She has published extensively on topics including mangrove ecosystems, wildlife conservation, and habitat vulnerability assessment. As Director of the Swiss desk for academic cooperation between Iran and Switzerland, she facilitates international collaboration and knowledge exchange. Her work includes significant contributions to understanding landscape fragmentation, climate change impacts on species distribution, and the development of conservation strategies. Fakheran's research has been widely cited, particularly her work on experimental landscape fragmentation and the assessment of land cover changes in various ecosystems. Through her leadership roles and research initiatives, she continues to advance the field of landscape ecology while fostering international academic partnerships and environmental conservation efforts.

Harini Nagendra is a Professor of Sustainability and Director of the Research Centre at Azim Premji University in Bangalore, India. With over 25 years of experience, she specializes in urban ecology, forest conservation, and sustainability in the Global South. Her interdisciplinary research combines satellite remote sensing, field studies of biodiversity, archival research, and community interviews to examine human-nature interactions in forests and cities. Nagendra has authored over 150 scientific publications and several books, including "Nature in the City: Bengaluru in the Past, Present, and Future" and "Cities and Canopies: Trees of Indian Cities." She has received numerous accolades, including the 2013 Elinor Ostrom Senior Scholar Award and the 2006 Cozzarelli Prize from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. Nagendra has contributed to international research efforts, serving on the Steering Committee of the Programme for Ecosystem Change and Society and as a Lead Author for the 5th IPCC Report - Working Group III. At Azim Premji University, she leads the Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability and teaches courses on ecology, development, sustainability, and remote sensing. Her work aims to understand the factors shaping social-ecological sustainability in South Asian contexts and address the global crisis of sustainability.

Josef Senn is a visiting scientist at the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL and a Lecturer at ETH Zurich's Department of Environmental Systems Sciences. His research focuses on plant-herbivore interactions, wildlife ecology, and conservation biology, with particular emphasis on ungulate-plant interactions and habitat fragmentation effects on wild populations. He studies how species like roe deer, red deer, and chamois influence forest ecosystems and young tree populations. As an Adjunct Professor at Isfahan University of Technology's Faculty of Natural Resources, he contributes to international academic collaboration. Since 2007, Senn has served on the Swiss scientific committee for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), where he provides expertise on wildlife conservation and trade regulations. His work extends to local and regional nature conservation efforts, and he documents wildlife through photography. Through his research and teaching activities, he bridges the gap between theoretical ecology and practical conservation strategies.

Shekoufeh Nematollahi is a Ph.D. candidate in Environmental Sciences and Land Use Planning at Isfahan University of Technology (IUT), Iran. Her research focuses on assessing the ecological impacts of road networks on natural habitats using ecosystem services modeling and advanced landscape indices. Her work includes studying the effects of road networks on wildlife refuges in Central Iran, particularly examining impacts on vulnerable species like the Leopard and Wild Goat. She has developed expertise in using the Spatial Road Disturbance Index (SPROADI) to analyze how transportation infrastructure affects landscape structure and wildlife habitats. Nematollahi's research has revealed significant impacts of road networks on protected areas, contributing to habitat fragmentation and isolation. Her findings have important implications for conservation planning and the development of mitigation strategies. Through her contributions to MOOCs and academic publications, she shares knowledge about assessing road impacts on wildlife habitats and developing science-based conservation measures.

Thomas C. Edwards is a Research Scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey and a Professor in the Quinney College of Natural Resources at Utah State University. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Florida (1987), an M.S. from the University of New Mexico (1983), and a B.S. from Humboldt State University (1980). His research focuses on bioregional conservation planning and developing methods for assessing biological diversity at large landscape scales. Current projects include studying climate change effects on western North American conifers, analyzing urban disturbance impacts in high-growth regions, and examining joint effects of climate and land change on biodiversity in western Europe. At Utah State University, he teaches graduate-level courses in The Design and Analysis of Ecological Research and Topics in Spatial Ecology. Edwards serves as Secretary-General for the International Association for Landscape Ecology and has been an associate editor for several professional journals. His work has contributed significantly to understanding forest bird species distribution, habitat classification modeling, and the development of ecological research methodologies.

The Landscape Ecology MOOC by ETH Zurich offers a comprehensive introduction to landscape ecology through three main units: Landscape Ecology Foundations, Land System Modelling, and Landscape and Society. The course combines theory with practical applications through video lectures, expert interviews, quizzes, and interactive simulations. Students learn about landscape patterns, modeling techniques, and the relationship between landscapes and society. Prerequisites include high school mathematics, basic GIS and statistics knowledge, and fundamental understanding of ecology. The course features case studies presented by leading experts from different continents, covering topics such as oil exploration and plant conservation, transport infrastructure impacts on wildlife, urbanization, renewable energy conflicts, and urban ecology. Through collaborative learning and feedback from experts, students develop skills to address real-world landscape challenges. The course emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical problem-solving, enabling participants to contribute to landscape and spatial planning, forest management, and agriculture solutions.