701-0561-00L  Forest Ecology

Courses

Catalogue data

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. Overall, the competences of process understanding, system understanding, modeling, concept development and data analysis & interpretation are taught and examined in this course.
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 are available for download from https://fe.ethz.ch/studium/lehrmaterialien/bachelor/waldoekologie.html.
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).
Competencies	Subject-specific Competencies Concepts and Theories assessed Techniques and Technologies assessed Method-specific Competencies Analytical Competencies assessed Personal Competencies Creative Thinking assessed Critical Thinking assessed

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits	3 credits
Examiners	H. Bugmann
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 90 minutes
Written aids	Taschenrechner mitnehmen (nicht programmierbar, nicht kommunikationsfähig) Wörterbücher sind für nicht deutschsprachige Studierende erlaubt.
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 Engineering Bachelor	Environment and Water	W
Environmental Sciences Bachelor	Forest and Landscape	W