701-0305-00L  Vertebrate Ecology

Courses

Catalogue data

Abstract	The course covers the ecology of birds and mammals. Important concepts of nutrition, physiology, behavioural ecology, population biology, biogeography and community ecology will be linked to applications in conservation and management. A worldwide perspective will be complemented by a focus on the Central European fauna and its dynamics.
Learning objective	The students are familiar with important topics in animal ecology of vertebrates, with an emphasis on birds and mammals. They are able to link theoretical concepts with ecological phenomena and view them against an evolutionary backdrop. They can thus appraise applied aspects of the conservation and the use of animal populations, such as the influence of body size on the energy demand and nutrition, relationships between resource availability on habitat use of birds and mammals as well as between predators and prey species, or of herbivores on vegetation, and the effects of hunting and environmental change on animal populations. Students understand the biogeographical characteristics of the Central European vertebrate fauna and its temporal and spatial dynamics.
Content	The course deals with a number of topics that include feeding and resource use, spatial behaviour and migrations, reproduction, population dynamics, competition and predation, parasites and diseases, biodiversity and distributions, and dynamics of the Central European fauna. There is an emphasis on linking theory with management issues in conservation and management of wildlife populations. During the first half of the course, examples will be drawn worldwide whereas during the second half, the course will focus more strongly on the European fauna, particularly of the Alpine region. Although the course is not designed to teach species knowledge and determination, examples will cover much of the taxonomic range of the European fauna. The course includes a field excursion (7.12.2024, Alternative date: 14.12.24). Program (Lecturers: Kurt Bollmann (KB), Urs Koramnn (UK)): 23.09.24 Birds and mammals: similarities & differences, endothermy & body isolation, moult in birds (KB) 30.09.24 Feeding I: Food, metabolism (KB) 07.10.24 Feeding II: Energetic needs, foraging, digestion (KB) 14.10.24 Distribution and habitat use, migration (UK) 21.10.24 Reproduction, litter and clutch size, breeding systems (UK) 28.10.24 Population dynamics (KB) 04.11.24 Predation, predator-prey-cycles (KB) 11.11.24 Competition (UK), Parasitism and diseases (self-study) 18.11.24 Biogeography of central European birds and mammals, return of ungulates and large predators (KB) 25.11.24 Herbivores as landscape engineers: the Serengeti ecosystem (Guest lecturer) 02.12.24 Exploitation of wild birds and mammals (KB) 09.12.24 Threats and conservation biology of selected species (UK) 16.12.24 Mammals and climate change (case study on roe deer) + questions and pilot test (KB)
Lecture notes	Lecture notes and handouts will be available digitally.
Literature	Literature will be listed in the lecture notes. Some additional papers will be distributed. Some books relevant to the course are (optional reading): - Suter, W. 2017. Ökologie der Wirbeltiere. Vögel und Säugetiere. UTB/Haupt, Bern. This book is based on the course. It is in German. - Fryxell, J.M., Sinclair, A.R.E., & Caughley, G. 2014. Wildlife Ecology, Conservation, and Management. 3rd ed. Wiley Blackwell, Chichester, UK.
Competencies	Subject-specific Competencies Concepts and Theories assessed Method-specific Competencies Analytical Competencies assessed Decision-making fostered Problem-solving assessed Social Competencies Communication assessed Cooperation and Teamwork fostered Personal Competencies Adaptability and Flexibility fostered Creative Thinking assessed Critical Thinking assessed Self-awareness and Self-reflection fostered Self-direction and Self-management fostered

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits	2 credits
Examiners	K. Bollmann, U. Kormann
Type	session examination
Language of examination	German
Repetition	The performance assessment is only offered in the session after the course unit. Repetition only possible after re-enrolling.
Mode of examination	written 60 minutes
Written aids	Keine Hilfsmittel erlaubt (ausser Wörterbuch).
This information can be updated until the beginning of the semester; information on the examination timetable is binding.

Learning materials

Groups

Restrictions

Offered in

Programme	Section	Type
Environmental Sciences Bachelor	Ecology and Conservation Biology	W