Universität Wien
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300133 SE Island biogeography (2025W)

natural laboratories for theory and practice in ecology and conservation

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 30 - Biologie
Continuous assessment of course work

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 20 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 06.10. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG
  • Monday 13.10. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG
  • Monday 20.10. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG
  • Monday 27.10. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG
  • Monday 03.11. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG
  • Monday 10.11. 10:15 - 11:45 Übungsraum 1 (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg 1.OG
  • Monday 17.11. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG
  • Monday 24.11. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG
  • Monday 01.12. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG
  • Monday 15.12. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG
  • Monday 12.01. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG
  • Monday 19.01. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG
  • Monday 26.01. 10:15 - 11:45 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG
  • Tuesday 03.02. 11:00 - 12:00 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course aims at introducing students to the concepts and ideas within the field of island biogeography. More precisely, students will learn about the role of islands as natural laboratories in ecological research with a solid understanding of classical and modern island biogeographic concepts (e.g., MacArthur & Wilson’s equilibrium theory, island species area relationships and the general dynamic model of island biogeography).
Additionally, the course will discuss how island biogeography concepts and theories have shaped the discourse in ecology, evolution and conservation research beyond the island context. Finally, the course will focus on island biogeography in the Anthropocene, discussing the impact of humans and associated anthropogenic pressures on island systems.

The course will combine classical lecture elements to teach theoretical concepts and terminology with student-led presentations on different aspects of island biogeographic research. This means students will give presentations on different aspects of island biogeographic research and engage in subsequent discussions.

Assessment and permitted materials

Active participation in the course
- >75% of classes
- Participation in discussions of student-led presentations
- Feedback on one presentation of another student

Presentation
- Oral presentation of an island biogeographic topic, distributed in the beginning of the course

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

There are no requirements to take part in the course.

Presentations will be graded based on a scoring rubric including completion within time limit, organization, understanding of scientific content, clarity, engagement, use of visual aids, ability to answer questions and lead the discussion. Details will be communicated in the first lecture.

Examination topics

All content of the course is relevant for the preparation of the presentations and participation in the discussion.

We will provide mandatory and optional reading for each individual lecture through the moodle platform.

Reading list

A syllabus with mandatory and optional reading will be provided through moodle.

An important book in island biogeography is:
Whittaker, Robert J., José María Fernández-Palacios, and Thomas J. Matthews (2023) Island Biogeography, 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, Oxford. (available online through the university library)

Association in the course directory

MNB6, MEC-9, MZO4, MBO 7

Last modified: Mo 27.07.2026 09:27