Wetlands - a Swedish perspective, Introductory course

Wetlands are important ecosystems playing a critical role in carbon cycling and storage and, by extension, the global climate system. They also provide a unique habitat for plants and animals, water quality improvement, flood storage and recreational areas.
Photo: Malin Kylander

Store Mosse, Sweden. Photo: Malin Kylander


Despite their importance, wetlands have long been impacted by human activities and today many are in a degraded state. This course covers the science behind wetland form and function as well as recent research relating to the future of these important ecosystems. The course is given as a combination of on-line evening lectures and seminars. We will dive into current debates surrounding wetlands and their management and students will have a chance to explore and understand a wetland local to them. Lectures given include:

  1. Wetland classification and global significance 
  2. Wetland flora and microtopography 
  3. Wetland properties and development 
  4. Wetland biodiversity 
  5. Hydrological functions of wetlands 
  6. Wetlands and the carbon cycle 
  7. Historical perspectives on wetland use in Sweden 
  8. Restoration of wetlands 
  9. Wetlands as climate archives 
  10. Swedish wetlands: remote sensing, mapping, lidar.

There is a mandatory field component where we visit Store Mosse National Park and explore one of southern Sweden’s largest and best-preserved wetlands together. We will look at the geomorphological development of the area and different wetland habitats; observe wetland fauna and flora and links between vegetation and microtopography; and explore the anthropogenic impact on the wetland (peat extraction) and attempts to remedy this (re-wetting).

The field trip for the VT27 will take place May 14 to 17, 2027. We will be outside for full days, so come with appropriate field gear. More information will be added later.







The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.

*If the PDF files are not accessible for you to read, kindly contact studies@geo.su.se

Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
Course reports are displayed for the three most recent course instances.

Course evaluations allow the possibility to affect and take responsibility for your own learning and gives important information for our work with pedagogical development.

It's important that all students complete the course evaluations after each course, it gives the Department the opportunity to improve the courses' quality.

The course evaluation is composed of a number of questions and specific questions for each course. If you, as a student, want to contribute with more course specific questions you may send them to studies@geo.su.se.

If you haven't received the course evaluation for your finished course, or if you have other questions regarding course evaluations at IGV please contact studies@geo.su.se.

Course evaluation = student's review of the course
Course report = course leader's reflections about the review

*If the PDF files are not accessible for you to read, kindly contact studies@geo.su.se







Student counsellor
elisabeth.dacker@geo.su.se
08-674 78 70

Course leader
Malin Kylander
malin.kylander@geo.su.se

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