Teaching Landscape Ecology in a Changing World: Insights from a global survey

Landscape ecology is a well-established field that explores spatial patterns, ecological processes, and their interactions across scales. Its interdisciplinary nature and relevance to environmental management, spatial planning, and conservation have led to its widespread inclusion in research and university curricula. However, there is limited research on what is actually taught in landscape ecology courses and how well students are being prepared to address current global challenges. Moreover, pedagogical practices, including teaching methods and their alignment with educational best practices, remain underexplored. To address this gap, we conducted a global survey to examine how landscape ecology is taught in higher education across different regions. The study investigates the content, teaching strategies, and modes of instruction employed, with a focus on how students engage with landscape ecological thinking and apply it in real-world contexts. We identify commonly used teaching methods, evaluate their alignment with established pedagogical principles, and highlight opportunities for innovation. Special attention is given to the integration of active learning approaches—such as field-based learning, spatial modelling, and interdisciplinary collaboration—and their role in shaping the next generation of landscape ecologists.