Universität Wien
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300236 UE Methods in phytosociology (2022S)

field sampling and data analysis

5.00 ECTS (4.00 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

The course will take place from 30 May to 3 June (3 days of field sampling), 14–16 September (3 days of field sampling, autumn aspect) and 27–28 September 2022 (data analysis). Field sampling will take place in several localities in Lower Austria and Burgenland, but we will return to Vienna each day.

  • Friday 04.03. 11:00 - 12:00 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG
  • Tuesday 27.09. 09:00 - 18:00 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG
  • Wednesday 28.09. 09:00 - 18:00 Seminarraum (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg EG

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In this course, we will learn basic methods of phytosociology, i.e., description, comparison and classification of plant communities. We will sample dry grasslands in Eastern Austria, recording all vascular plants in 4 x 4 m plots and estimating their cover. To get a complete list of the species, we will visit all localities twice, first in late May /early June and then again in September. In the last week of September, we will analyse our plot records („relevés“) using the free software program JUICE (see https://www.sci.muni.cz/botany/juice/). We will do a numerical classification using the TWINSPAN algorithm, and a supervised classification based on diagnostic species from the literature. We will learn how to assign plot records to phytosociological units (associations, alliances, classes). Moreover, we will use Ellenberg indicator values to facilitate the ecological interpretation of the results.

Assessment and permitted materials

Evaluation will be based on (a) active participation in field work and data analysis; and (b) a written Report summarising the methods used and the main results of the data analysis.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Participants should have a basic knowledge of plant determination and plant families.
Minimum requirement for positive credit: 8 points (of totally 16 points). These 16 points are distributed as follows: 6 points: active participation in field sampling (1 per day), 2 points: active participation in data analysis, 8 points: written Report.

Examination topics

Continuous assessment of course work.

Reading list

Will be announced during the course.

Association in the course directory

MBO 7, MEC-9, M-WZB

Last modified: Th 03.03.2022 16:09