Universität Wien

300148 VO Introduction to Desert Biology. Life communities of subtropical and tropical deserts (2015W)

2.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 30 - Biologie

1st part: deserts (in the proper sense hot deserts) of the world, their origin, climatic, pedological, physical factors, oasis, vegetation, fauna and their adaptations to environment
2nd part: desertification of arid regions by human influence
3rd part: opportunities of restoration, future prospects for the global development of arid areas.

Details

Language: German

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Friday 09.10. 15:00 - 16:15 Seminarraum 3
  • Friday 16.10. 15:00 - 16:15 Seminarraum 3
  • Friday 23.10. 15:00 - 16:15 Seminarraum 3
  • Friday 30.10. 15:00 - 16:15 Seminarraum 3
  • Friday 06.11. 15:00 - 16:15 Seminarraum 3
  • Friday 13.11. 15:00 - 16:15 Seminarraum 3
  • Friday 20.11. 15:00 - 16:15 Seminarraum 3
  • Friday 27.11. 15:00 - 16:15 Seminarraum 3
  • Friday 04.12. 15:00 - 16:15 Seminarraum 3
  • Friday 11.12. 15:00 - 16:15 Seminarraum 3
  • Friday 18.12. 15:00 - 16:15 Seminarraum 3
  • Friday 08.01. 15:00 - 16:15 Seminarraum 3
  • Friday 15.01. 15:00 - 16:15 Seminarraum 3
  • Friday 22.01. 15:00 - 16:15 Seminarraum 3
  • Friday 29.01. 15:00 - 16:15 Seminarraum 3

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The lecture deals with the origin of deserts, the physical factors and adaptation mechanisms of fauna and flora. Human intervention has lead to an enormous extention of arid areas by desertification (human made desert), especially in the last century. The lecture also refers to ecological changes and consequences concerning this worldwide growing problem.

Assessment and permitted materials

written examination over the whole subject (60 minutes) at the end of the semester

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Inpart of knowledge about hot deserts as extreme habitats for specialized life communities with high ecological adaptation fitness and physiological power. Discussion of growing risks caused by worldwide increasing desertification of arid regions on the ecological and economical level as well as chances for recultivations.

Examination topics

lecture including discussion possibilities, documentation with power point as pdf in 13 parts on tropbox available

Reading list

BUSCHE D., 1998: Die zentrale Sahara- Perthe Verlag Gotha
GEORGE U., 1982: Die Wüste. Vorstoß zu den Grenzen des Lebens. Geo Verlag Hamburg
KINGSFORD R., 2006: Ecology of desert rivers. Cambridge University Press.
KRÜGER C., ed., 1975: Sahara. Schroll Verlag Wien & München
MARTIN M., 2004: Die Wüsten der Erde. Kirchner Verlag Berlin
MASOOD E., SCHAFFER D., 2006: Dry. Life without water. Harvard University Press
MAINGUET M., 1999: Aridity. Droughts and human development. Springer-Verlag Berlin
MONOD T., DUROU J-M, 1992: Wüsten der Welt. Bucher Verlag München
PEARCE F., 2006: Wenn die Flüsse versiegen. Kunstmann Verlag München
POSTEL S., 1999: Der Kampf ums Wasser. Worldwatch Paper 21., Wochenschau-Verlag Schwalbach/Ts.
SCHIFFERS H., 1971: Die Sahara und ihre Randgebiete. 1. Physiogeographie. Weltforum-Verlag München.
SIELMANN H., ed. 1980: Knaurs Tierleben in der Wüste.Knaur Verlag München
STÜBEN P. & THURN V., 1991: Wüsten Erde. Der Kampf gegen Durst, Dürre und Desertifikation. Focus: Ökozid 7, Focus-Verlag Gießen.
(small selection)

Association in the course directory

B-WZB, WZB,

Last modified: Sa 22.10.2022 00:29