Universität Wien

300204 UE Design and analysis of field studies in mountain environments (2017S)

determinants of plant and insect diversity in the European Alps

10.00 ECTS (6.00 SWS), SPL 30 - Biologie
Continuous assessment of course work

expected costs: ~ ¤ 1.000,-

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. 10 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Field work is scheduled to take place 09.07.2017 to 22.07.2017. At least two further meetings (in August) will be negotiated for statistical data analysis.
Participation in intital meeting MANDATORY!

  • Thursday 02.03. 14:00 - 15:00 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG
  • Tuesday 13.06. 11:00 - 13:00 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG
  • Friday 25.08. 08:00 - 09:00 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course aims at giving an overview over important habitats in the Alps and in methods of assessment of terrestrial biodiversity. Along a north-south transect from Tyrol/Vorarlberg to Trentino we will visit alpine landscapes. This entails hiking tours in mountainous terrain. At selected sites we will assess vascular plant diversity and selected insect groups (mainly: diurnal butterflies/moths and ants). For students with interest in animal ecology, a special focus will be on the nutritional ecology of ants. During at least 2 further meetings in August 2017, the data gathered during field work will be evaluated by appropriate statistical methods. Finally, a written report has to be compiled.

Assessment and permitted materials

Evaluation will be based on (a) contribution to field work and data analysis -40%; (b) a paper-like report - 60%

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Successful participants are expected to know important habitats in the Alps, and to acquire basic knowledge about important representatives of alpine flora and insect fauna. The should be able to apply field methods in terrestrial biodiversity surveys and to evaluate their gathered data using appropriate statistical techniques.

Examination topics

Field demonstrations (habitats, plant and animal species); assessing plant or insect communities, assessing demographic and functional parameters in the field; statistical data analysis.

Reading list

will be announced in the initial meeting

Association in the course directory

MEC-6, MBO 7, M-WZB

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:43