Trees are important elements and drivers of ecosystem processes in forests and landscapes. Tree species diversity and intraspecific genetic diversity are relevant factors for continuous adaptation, required for a sustainable maintenance of forest products and services. Sustainable forest and landscape management under climate change has to take forest genetic resources into consideration.
Learning objective
The educational goals of the course are: To know basic concepts of evolution and molecular and quantitative methods of genetics. To understand the most relevant processes of gene flow, adaptation and species interactions, on the basis of ecological theories and case studies on forest tree species. To know management principles and instruments for the promotion and the conservation of forest genetic resources, with a view on application in practice.
Content
The course provides a comprehensive overview on concepts and applications of tree genetics and complements basic knowledge of biology, dendrology, forest ecology and forest management in the frame of forest and landscape management topics. It introduces concepts of evolution and genetic methods as foundations, explains the most important processes and drivers of gene flow and adaptation, including coevolutionary aspects of associated organisms, and shows relevant topics of the management of genetic resources from reproduction to conservation and monitoring. Theories and their application into practice are illustrated on behalf of case studies on forest tree species. Two full-day excursions illustrate the contents with exemplary objects, actors and applications in Switzerland.
Lecture notes
Script: modular slide script (parts by each lecturer). Textbook: collection of accompanying or background articles according to detailed contents (to be defined).
Literature
Groover & Cronk (eds.), 2017: Comparative and Evolutionary Genomics of Angiosperm Trees. Springer. 366 p. Neale & Wheeler, 2019: The Conifers: Genomes, Variation and Evolution. Springer. 590 p. Holderegger & Segelbacher (eds.), 2016: Naturschutzgenetik. Haupt. 247 p. Pluess, Augustin & Brang (eds.), 2016: Wald im Klimawandel. Grundlagen für Adaptationsstrategien. (selected chapters 3.2, 5.2)
Prerequisites / Notice
No mandatory prerequisites. Basic knowledge of dendrology and forest ecology is advantageous and recommended.
Competencies
Subject-specific Competencies
Concepts and Theories
assessed
Techniques and Technologies
assessed
Method-specific Competencies
Analytical Competencies
assessed
Decision-making
fostered
Problem-solving
assessed
Social Competencies
Communication
fostered
Cooperation and Teamwork
fostered
Personal Competencies
Adaptability and Flexibility
fostered
Creative Thinking
assessed
Critical Thinking
assessed
Self-direction and Self-management
fostered
Performance assessment
Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
The performance assessment is offered every session. Repetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit.
Mode of examination
written 90 minutes
Additional information on mode of examination
obligatorisches Leistungselement ist der Besuch von zwei ganztägigen Exkursionen Compulsory performance element is the attendance of two full-day excursions
Written aids
none
This information can be updated until the beginning of the semester; information on the examination timetable is binding.
Learning materials
No public learning materials available.
Only public learning materials are listed.
Groups
No information on groups available.
Restrictions
There are no additional restrictions for the registration.
Performance assessment as a semester course