701-0314-01L Plant Diversity: Subalpine/Alpine
| Semester | Spring Semester 2021 |
| Lecturers | A. Guggisberg |
| Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
| Language of instruction | German |
| Comment | Prerequisite: Enrollment and successful performance assessment of LV 701-0360-00L (Systematic Biology: Plants). Enrollment for target group until 19.02.2021 Waiting list until 31.03.2021. The registration form must be handed in by 05.03.2021. Unconfirmed places are allocated to students on the waiting list. |
| Abstract | The practical focuses on the flora and vegetation of the northern Alps and covers from the upper montane to the lower alpine zone. Depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic, students are offered a mixture of individual activities and guided excursions to deepen their knowledge of plant species and to learn to recognize important vegetation units and their ecological characteristics. |
| Learning objective | Getting to know the most important vegetation types, their flora and ecological conditions in the northern Alps. Consolidation of taxonomic and plant morphological knowledge. Experience in plant determination using scientific determination keys. |
| Content | This course provides an introduction to the flora and vegetation of the northern Alps. The students will become acquainted with the botanical richness of the Alps and the ecological specificities of the encountered habitats. They will not only gain knowledge in plant species, but also learn which environmental conditions do plants cope with and which adaptation they have evolved. Following topics will be addressed in this course: - Climatic and geological divisions of the Alps - Effect of local conditions on vegetation of different altitudes - Adaptation of plants to various alpine conditions - Characteristic vegetation types of the subalpine and alpine zone (e.g. subalpine conifer forests, tall-herb communities and green alder scrubs, alpine grassland and scree vegetation, subalpine floodplain forest with fens) and their ecological conditions - Interaction between plants and their environment: examples from pollination, reproduction and dispersal strategies. |
| Lecture notes | A script is provided via Moodle. |
| Literature | - Baltisberger M., Nyffeler R. & Widmer A. 2013: Systematische Botanik. 4., vollständig überarbeitete und erweiterte Aufl. v/d/f Hochschulverlag AG an der ETH Zürich. - Stützel T. 2015. Botanische Bestimmungsübungen (3. Aufl.). UTB, Ulmer Verlag. - Hess H.E., Landolt E., Hirzel R. & Baltisberger M. 2015: Bestimmungsschlüssel zur Flora der Schweiz. 7., aktualisierte und überarbeitete Aufl., Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel/Boston/Berlin. |
| Prerequisites / Notice | We only admit students to the practical who have successfully completed the introductory lectures in systematic botany together with the associated exercises and excursions (cf. course 701-0360-00L Systematic Biology: Plants). In addition, we expect that the participants know how to use a determination key (Bestimmungsschlüssel zur Flora der Schweiz) and understand the necessary terminology. Students from other universities are requested to contact the lecturers. Program: 27.6.-1.7.: individual activities and guided day excursions (to be announced) 3.7.: exam at ETH Zentrum The excursions will take place under any weather conditions. The participants should be able to cope with rough and steep terrain and should bring appropriate equipment. Sturdy mountain boots are mandatory! Course fees: No course fees. |