Highland And Mountain Resource Management

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to highlands and mountains as one of the fragile ecosystems in the world. Students are able to learn about the formation of mountains, how humans use mountains, the impact of man’s activities on mountains and, hazards that arise as a result of unsustainable mountain utilization. Against this background students will be able to suggest mitigation measures so as to minimize these hazards.

COURSE JUSTIFICATION/RATIONALE

Highlands and mountain resource are essential for societal livelihoods. However, there has been negative implications of man on them, thus the students will be equipped with knowledge and practices which include land use practices that will encourage sustainable utilization of the resource.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course, the student should be able to:

• Explain the geography of mountains.
• Identify the different land uses in highland and mountain areas.
• Discuss the impacts of unsustainable mountain area management
• Suggest sustainable management of highland and mountain areas.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

A student completing the course is expected to:

§  Describe the physical processes that exist in highlands and mountain environments and the geoecological processes that shape them.

§  Demonstrate an understanding of hazards, climate change, and the political economy of highlands and mountain regions.

§  Analyze the impacts of natural and human caused climate changes on physical processes that are dominate in highlands and mountain environments, the associated affects on resources and society, and how science and modern technology can be used to mitigate and/or adapt to the new conditions.