701-0561-00L Forest Ecology
| Semester | Autumn Semester 2019 |
| Lecturers | H. Bugmann |
| Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
| Language of instruction | German |
| Abstract | This course conveys the basics of forest ecology with an emphasis on trees as those organisms that dominate the physiognomy and the dynamics of forest ecosystems. Based on this course, students have a good grasp of the qualitative and quantitative importance of forest ecosystems at the global and regional scales, with a focus on central Europe. |
| Learning objective | Students are able to - summarize the fundamentals of forest ecology at the autecological, demecological and synecological level - explain how trees dominate the physiognomy and dynamics of forest ecosystems - describe the qualitative and quantitative importance of forest ecosystems at the global and regional scales, with an emphasis on central Europe and Alpine region. |
| Content | Introduction and overview of the forests of the world Forest ecosystem ecology: Production ecology of forests Autecology: light, temperature, wind, water, and nutrients Demecology: regeneration ecology, forest growth, mortality Synecology: fundamentals of trophic interactions (forest-ungulate interactions), succession |
| Lecture notes | Handouts (mixture of overhead slides and full text chapters) are sold at cost Relevant chapters from textbooks will be indicated. |
| Literature | Kimmins, J.P., 2004. Forest Ecology. Third ed., Pearson-Prentice Hall |
| Prerequisites / Notice | The contents of the following courses of the 2nd year of the USYS BSc are required: Pedosphere, Hydrosphere, Fundamentals of biology and ecology, Introduction to dendrology (knowledge of European tree species). |