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.
Lernziel
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.
Inhalt
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.
Skript
Handouts will be available on the webpage of the course.
Literatur
Will be discussed in class.
Voraussetzungen / Besonderes
This course is based on fundamental knowledge about plant ecophysiology, soil science, and ecology in general. Course will be taught in English.
Kompetenzen
Fachspezifische Kompetenzen
Konzepte und Theorien
geprüft
Verfahren und Technologien
geprüft
Methodenspezifische Kompetenzen
Analytische Kompetenzen
geprüft
Problemlösung
gefördert
Projektmanagement
geprüft
Soziale Kompetenzen
Kommunikation
geprüft
Kooperation und Teamarbeit
gefördert
Persönliche Kompetenzen
Kreatives Denken
geprüft
Selbststeuerung und Selbstmanagement
geprüft
Leistungskontrolle
Information zur Leistungskontrolle (gültig bis die Lerneinheit neu gelesen wird)
Repetition nur nach erneuter Belegung der Lerneinheit möglich.
Zusatzinformation zum Prüfungsmodus
Attendance and active participation during all parts of the course is expected (min. 80% attendance). Performance assessment consists of different parts: (1) active participation, and (2) group work within an IsoProject (3-4 persons per group). The "IsoProject" takes place in the afternoon sessions and includes experimental design, carrying out of specific experiments, data acquisition, lab and data analyses, data interpretation. During the last day, the IsoProject will be presented to the peers.
Leistungskontrolle als Semesterkurs
: Für Fachstudierende und Hörer/-innen ist eine Spezialbewilligung der Dozierenden notwendig