Arthur Gessler: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2023 |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Arthur Gessler |
| Address | WSL Zürcherstrasse 111 Bi HL D 22 8903 Birmensdorf ZH SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | 044 739 28 18 |
| arthur.gessler@usys.ethz.ch | |
| Department | Environmental Systems Science |
| Relationship | Adjunct Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 061-0103-00L | Plant Ecology   | 2 credits | 3G | T. Galí-Izard, A. Gessler, M. Lévesque, J. Luster, C. A. Medina Novoa, A. Rigling, A. Rudow, T. M. Wohlgemuth | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course introduces plant ecology. Through lectures, exercises and excursions, students will gain a broad vision of the cutting edge topics that are being researched and studied at the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH and WSL. This will be the base for a future dialog between the field of landscape architecture and the field of sciences. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Students acquire basic knowledge in plant ecology focusing in its application in the field of landscape architecture. Temporal and physical scale, research methods, units of measurement, lexicon, modes of representation and critical literature form the framework for the joint discourse. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The fundamental course “Plant Ecology” is an introduction to the field of living systems, starting with the history of ecology, followed by an introduction to plant physiology. The course will also introduce students to the specifics of the rhizosphere, disturbance ecology and forests. Lastly, the course will focus on the specifics of tree structure and function. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Course material will be provided. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | The course material includes a reading list. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The fundamental course is organized with the Fundamental Studio I as a joint two-week module. The weekly schedule is provided with the course documents. Module 5 "Plant Ecology", 30.10.–09.11.2023 The course is held in English. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 701-0301-00L | Applied Systems Ecology | 3 credits | 2V | A. Gessler | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course provides the ecological systems` knowledge needed to question applied solutions to current environmental issues. Our central aim is to balance participants' respect for complexity with a sense of possibility by providing examples from the vast solution space offered by ecological systems, such as e.g. green infrastructure to manage water. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | At the end of the course... ...you know how to structure your inquiry and how to proceed the analysis when faced with a complex environmental issue. You can formulate the relevant questions, find answers (supported by discussions, input from the lecturers and the literature), and you are able to present your conclusions clearly and cautiously. ...you understand the complexity of interactions and structures in ecosystems. You know how ecosystem processes, functions and services interact and feed back across multiple spatio-temporal scales (in general, plus in depth case examples). ...you understand that biodiversity and the interaction between organisms are an integral part of ecosystems. You are aware that the link between biodiversity and process/function/service is rarely fully understood. You know how to honestly deal with this lack of understanding and can nevertheless find, critically analyse and communicate solutions. ...you understand the importance of ecosystem services for society. ...you have an overview of the methods of ecosystem research and have a deeper insight into some of them, e.g. ecosystem observation, manipulation and modelling. ...you have reflected on ecology as a young discipline at the heart of significant applied questions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | This course provides the ecological systems' knowledge needed to question applied sustainability solutions. We will critically assess the complexity of current environmental issues, illustrating basic ecological concepts and principles. Our central aim is to balance participants' respect for complexity with a sense of possibility by providing examples from the vast solution space offered by ecological systems, such as e.g. green infrastructure to manage water. The course is structured around four larger topical areas: (1) Integrated Water Management -- Green infrastructure (land management options) as an alternative to engineered solutions (e.g. large reservoirs) in flood and drought management; (2) Fire dynamics, the water cycle and biodiversity -- The surprising dynamics of species life cycles and populations in arid landscapes; (3) Rewilding, e.g. re-introducing apex predators (e.g. wolves), or large ungulates (e.g. bisons) in protected areas -- A nature conservation trend with counterintuitive effects; (4) Coupling of aquatic and terrestrial systems: carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus transfers of global importance on landscape scale. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Case descriptions, commented glossary and a list of literature and further resources per case. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | It is not essential to borrow/buy the following books. We will continuously provide excerpts and other literature during the course. Agren GI and Andersson FO (2012) Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology, Cambridge University Press. Chapin et al. (2011), Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology, Springer. Schulze et al. (2005) Plant Ecology; Springer. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The course combines elements of a classic lecture, group discussions and problem based learning. It is helpful, but not essential to be familiar with the "seven stages" method (see e.g. course 701-0352-00L "Analysis and Assessment of Environmental Sustainability" by Christian Pohl et al.). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 751-5125-00L | Stable Isotope Ecology of Terrestrial Ecosystems | 2 credits | 2G | R. A. Werner, N. Buchmann, A. Gessler, M. Lehmann | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract | This course provides an overview about the applicability of stable isotopes (carbon 13C, nitrogen 15N, oxygen 18O and hydrogen 2H) to process-oriented ecological research. Topics focus on stable isotopes as indicators for the origin of pools and fluxes, partitioning of composite fluxes as well as to trace and integrate processes. In addition, students carry out a small project during lab sessions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning objective | Students will be familiar with basic and advanced applications of stable isotopes in studies on plants, soils, water and trace gases, know the relevant approaches, concepts and recent results in stable isotope ecology, know how to combine classical and modern techniques to solve ecophysiological or ecological problems, learn to design, carry out and interpret a small IsoProject, practice to search and analyze literature as well as to give an oral presentation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The analyses of stable isotopes often provide insights into ecophysiological and ecological processes that otherwise would not be available with classical methods only. Stable isotopes proved useful to determine origin of pools and fluxes in ecosystems, to partition composite fluxes and to integrate processes spatially and temporally. This course will provide an introduction to the applicability of stable isotopes to ecological research questions. Topics will focus on carbon (13C), nitrogen (15N), oxygen (18O) and hydrogen (2H) at natural isotope abundance and tracer levels. Lectures will be supplemented by intensive laboratory sessions, short presentations by students and computer exercises. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lecture notes | Handouts will be available on the webpage of the course. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literature | Will be discussed in class. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | This course is based on fundamental knowledge about plant ecophysiology, soil science, and ecology in general. Course will be taught in English. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Competencies |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||