300012 VO Ecology - an introduction (2008W)

After defining ecology from several points of view the lecture provides short introductions to the ecology of individuals (niche -concept, ecofunctional types), to the ecology of populations and communities. A further focus is on landscape ecology and ecological problems from a global perspective (climate change, land use change, pollution). Specific parts inform the students about quantitative and qualitative aspects of biodiversity in an ecological context (diversity of ecosystems, spatial and temporal patterns, neophytes), and about the major life zones on earth. It is the ambition of this lecture to provide a balanced presentation of ecological theory, specific facts, and applied aspects.