ECTS credits: 5 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System)

Course parameters
Language: English
Level of course: PhD (Masters and young researchers with strong interest are also welcomed)
No. of contact hours/hours in total incl. preparation, assignment(s) or the like: 125 hours in total, including lectures, exercises, lab and field trips, and assignments, as well as one week of preparatory reading
Capacity limits: 20

Objectives of the course:
The course aims to provide participants with a deeper understanding of:

• the role of wetlands and their relationship with climate change,
• policy initiatives and development targets to restore wetlands/peatlands in Europe
• wetlands restoration trade-offs and controversies
• biodiversity response to wetland restoration and driving factors
• wetland soil characterization and mapping,
• biogeochemical processes in natural, restored, and treatment wetlands,
• hydrological dynamics under wetland restoration (i.e. rewetting),
• greenhouse gases emission measurements and biomass utilization,
• modeling wetlands restoration scenarios

Learning outcomes and competencies:

At the end of the course, the participants will be able to:

• have a better awareness of the ecological functionality of wetlands and their role in mitigating climate change,
• have an overall view of the current wetland mapping technology,
• describe wetland soil and hydrology characteristics,
• understand interactions of biogeochemical processes in wetlands,
• describe the impact of wetlands on nutrient cycling in agricultural catchments,
• understand different wetland systems, their applicability, and limitations,
• use different techniques to measure greenhouse gas fluxes,
• discuss peatland trade-offs and controversies, and policy initiatives.

Type of course/teaching methods: Lectures, exercises, group work, lab and field trip, final assignment

Course assessment: Classwork - satisfactory participation in the course; Group work and oral presentation. Prior to the course, each participant should prepare one slide PPT to introduce their research.
 

Course Organizer: Associate Professor Shubiao Wu, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, Postboks 50, DK-8830 Tjele

Course fee: 600 Euro.

Name of lecturers: A variety of national and international wetland experts will be invited.

Time: September 7-12, 2026
 

Place: AU Viborg – Department of Agroecology and wetland areas in Denmark

Registration:

The deadline for registration is August 2, 2026.

Sign-up link: Wetlands 2026 - Laravel

For registration: If you have any questions, please contact Shubiao Wu, e-mail: wushubiao@agro.au.dk