UTMARK – Applied Ecology

Jostein Skurdal	Correspondance with the editors:
Øystein Aas
Jon Museth

 

The main aim of the journal UTMARK is to conduct mediation of issues and knowledge about the use and management of uncultivated land between users and researchers. This is a special issue of the internet journal UTMARK focusing on Applied Ecology. Applied ecology is a subfield within ecology, which considers the application of the science of ecology to real-world (usually management) questions. It is an integrated treatment of the ecological, social, and biotechnological aspects of natural resource conservation and management. Applied ecology includes all major themes in applied ecology, such as conservation biology, global change, environmental pollution, wildlife and habitat management, land use and management, aquatic resources, restoration ecology, and the management of pests, weeds and disease. The issue on Applied Ecology is a cooperation between the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Hedmark University College and the Norwegian Institute of Nature Research. The editors are Jostein Skurdal, Jon Museth and Øystein Aas from the Norwegian Institute of Nature Research. Referees have been Oddgeir Andersen, Ola Diserud, Vegard Gundersen, Stein Ivar Johnsen, Bjørn Kaltenborn, Morten Kraabøl, Jon Museth, Kjetil Olstad, Erlend B. Nilsen, Hans Chr. Pedersen, Erik Stange, Line Wold and Øystein Aas all from the Norwegian Institute of Nature Research at the departments in Lillehammer and Trondheim, Tor Arnesen from the Eastern Norway Research Institute, Ola Hegge from the Department of Climate and the Environment, County Governor of Oppland and Lasse Asmyhr from the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Hedmark University College.

The reputation of applied ecology as a science has struggled against the pure traditional scientific disciplines. This is reflected in the limited availability of an education in applied ecology worldwide. As far as we know Hedmark University College is the only institution providing a master, a PhD and an International Research School in Applied Ecology (IRSAE; www.irsae.no) in Scandinavia. In Norway we also have the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) which is dedicated to carrying out applied ecological research.

The International Research School in Applied Ecology (IRSAE: www.irsae.no) define Applied Ecology as:

“The application of ecological theory and methodology to develop comprehensive mitigation measures for the sustainable use, commercialisation and management of biological resources. To validate the desired effect of mitigation efforts we need effective and long term monitoring of the natural environment. Hence, the bulk of our research and education is focused towards the application of ecological principles for the mitigation, use and monitoring of biological resources.”

The idea to produce a special issue on Applied Ecology is linked to the International Research School in Applied Ecology which has a strong focus towards an improved integration of applied ecological research and present day management issues. Most of the articles in this first issue in Applied Ecology are based on essays written in connection with phd-courses.