SLU's knowledge bank

PhD-Course: Watershed Ecology and Biogeochemistry

Last changed: 21 August 2024

Boreal landscape

A PhD course in the Krycklan catchment September 19-25, 2024. ‘Watershed Ecology and Biogeochemistry’ addresses the foundational concepts and modern challenges within the broad field of watershed science.

Krycklan course

 

Here we will take an integrative approach that focuses on the hydrological, biogeochemical, and ecological connections between upland, riparian, and aquatic components of forest landscapes. Specific topics includes 1) an overview of catchment hydrology and water balance, 2) elemental transport and processing along hillslopes and riparian zones, 3) controls over material exchange at the land-water interface, 4) biogeochemical cycling in streams and rivers, 5) the biogeochemical significance of wetlands and lakes within catchments, and 6) the interface between forest management and watershed science in boreal lands. General themes in watershed science will be explored through discussions of literature that will be coordinated with short lectures. More specific questions and methodological approaches will be introduced using a series of excursions and activities within the Krycklan catchment.

This year we will have to take out a small course fee (7000 kr or approximately 700 Euros) to cover the cost of food and lodging. The fee will be paid directly to the hotel during the course.

/Hjalmar Laudon

 

 

More information about the reading list for 2024 can be found: Reading list 2024

 

Scenes from courses at FEM

Course evaluation feedback from previous courses

“I think this was the most equilibrate course I have attended”

“It was a great experience and brain storming in various issues related to landscape functioning”

 “The depth of questions and discussion added a level of challenge to the course that I believe increased its value tremendously”

“Excellent teachers in combination with well-motivated students resulted in a very good course. I especially liked the discussions in small groups, very interesting!”

The course provides a broad yet mechanistic understanding of watershed science using the Krycklan Catchment Study at the Svartberget field station in Vindeln (Sweden) as a teaching laboratory. The course includes a combination of short lectures, field excursions and exercises, discussion of literature, and student-led presentations – all designed to foster close interaction among students and instructors. Students will be examined individually based on participation in all activities, discussions, and assignments.

 

Prize Krycklan course

This course won the prize for the best PhD course at SLU in 2022. 

Facts:

Read the course overview and syllabus here. The course comprises 7,5 credits.


The course is a co-arrangement between

  • Future Forest
  • Research schools:
    • Focus on Soils and Water
    • Bioeconomy-adapted forest management, BECFOR

Accepted students are notified in May. The remaining students are added to the reserve list.

For food and lodging we will have to take out a small course fee (7000 kr or approximately 700 Euros). The fee will be paid directly to the hotel during the course.


Contact

Hjalmar Laudon, Head of department, Professor
Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Department of Forest Ecology and Management, joint staff
hjalmar.laudon@slu.se, +46705606625