PPS-30306 Quantitative Analysis of Land Use Systems (QUALUS)

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

SGL-10309 Integration Course Soil; Water and Atmosphere or FSE-30306 Analysis and Design of Organic Farming Systems or CSA-20306 Soil-Plant Relations or SLM-10306 Land Degradation and Remediation or DEC-20306 Rural Households and Livelihood Strategies.

Contents:

Problems associated with food security and depletion of natural resources and the need for economically viable and socially acceptable systems are important reasons for a redesign of land use systems at the level of farms, as well as at the regional level. The QUALUS course deals with qualitative land evaluation and presents an overview of quantitative methods for regional land use analysis and design. The methods identify options for sustainable systems and land use and provide trade-off among objectives. To use these methods, you need to apply disciplinary knowledge about economy, soil, climate, animals and plants. Important aspects of the various methods treated are their aim, spatial and temporal scale and climatic zone. One of the mathematical techniques for these model-based land use studies, i.e. (MG)LP is presented in more detail. The course will be illustrated with different studies that have been carried out. All methods use a scenario approach. Attention will be given to involvement of stakeholders.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- give an overview of and explain the differences between the qualitative and quantitative methods for farm and regional land use analysis;
- give an overview and explain the role of models within innovation processes and policy development;
- clarify the influence of the time horizon and spatial scales on the methodology and the results;
- carry out a qualitative and quantitative land evaluation;
- produce input-output coefficient tables using production ecological concepts;
- give an overview of the linear programming techniques and their restrictions for use in land use studies;
- translate a simple land use problem into a linear programme, solve simple linear programme and multiple criteria problems, and interpret results of these models.

Activities:

- lectures and practical's will support self-study of the syllabus;
- students will work in groups (of 2-4 students).

Examination:

The learning outcomes of the course are assessed by a written exam consisting of four parts with open questions; no books are allowed.
Each part must attain a mark at least 4, but the average of the 4 parts should be at least 5.5.
The exam counts for 80%. Two reports, that are compulsory made during the course, and a power point presentation, count for 20% of the final mark.

Literature:

Study guide and syllabus.