Restoration in Northern Coastal Ecosystems
- Summer 2027
About the course
Blending ecological science with applied management, this course examines how human activities have degraded coastal and marine environments and how restoration and nature-based solutions (NbS) can enhance ecosystem functions and resilience. It surveys the principles and practice of restoring coastal ecosystems in subarctic and Arctic environments, highlighting how high-latitude conditions shape both degradation processes and opportunities for NbS-driven restoration. It further explores the recovery of habitats affected by climate change, coastal erosion, and human activities. Special attention is given to nature-based approaches that mitigate coastal hazards, promote blue-carbon storage, and support sustainable livelihoods in coastal communities.
Learning outcome
On completion of the course, a student:
- Can assess degradation pathways linked to human use, land–sea interactions, and climate-related change in northern environments.
- Can describe ecological processes that drive recovery and resilience in Arctic and subarctic coastal and marine systems.
- Can evaluate restoration outcomes using ecological, socioeconomic, and climate-adaptation indicators relevant to coastal contexts.
- Can synthesize ecological, management, and policy perspectives into a coherent plan or assessment for a real or hypothetical restoration or NbS project in Iceland or the wider Arctic.