Universität Wien

300334 UE Field course "Amphibian Ecology" (2023S)

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

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. 16 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Vorgesehene Exkursionstermine (diese Termine können sich witterungsbedingt ändern; in den Sommerferien können bei Bedarf zusätzliche Termine angeboten werden; Kleingruppen mit beschränkter Teilnehmer*innenzahl):
Waldviertel (zweitägig, inkl. Nachtexkursion): 19.-20.5., 23.-24.6.
Tagesexkursionen in Wien (ca. 10–18 h): 15.3., 22.3., 29.3., 1.4., 3.4., 10.4., 12.4., 19.4., 26.4., 3.5., 6.5., 10.5., 17.5., 20.5., 24.5., 31.5., 7.6., 14.6., 17.6. , 21.6.
Abendtermine (Wechselkröten; ab Sonnenuntergang ca. 3 h): 03.04., 06.04., 10.04., 17.04., 20.04, 24.04., 27.04., 01.05., 05.05., 08.05., 11.05., 15.05., 18.05., 22.05., 25.05., 29.05., 01.06., 05.06., 08.06., 12.06., 15.06., 19.06., 22.06., 26.06., 29.06.

  • Wednesday 01.03. 09:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 1.4, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.013, Ebene 1 (Kickoff Class)

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Application of population ecological methods in amphibians. Knowledge of native amphibian species in all stages of development. Introduction to practical issues of conservation biology. Organization of data collection in the field, documentation of results.
The field course is centered on quantitative methods for estimating population sizes of amphibians, by means of spawn counts, call surveys and mark-recapture of individually registered animals. Field work in Vienna (Vienna Woods, Lobau, urban area) will introduce the participants to the ecology of locally occurring species and provide insights into conservation problems in urban areas. In the Waldviertel-region of Lower Austria we will visit gravel pits which are secondary habitats of many amphibian species. We will assess habitat management in these areas important for both economy and conservation, focussing on measures to support amphibian populations (especially the natterjack toad).
Field work in small teams; flexible schedule, depending on weather conditions and activities of the amphibians.

Assessment and permitted materials

Assessment of practical work in the field and protocols.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Minimal requirements:
1. At least 50 hours of fieldwork.
2. Submission of a final report on all excursions in which the student has participated.
3. Scientific documentation of the student's project (research question, methods, results, discussion) OR submission of a mini-review on a topic in amphibian ecology that has been approved by the course coordinator.
Criteria: Assessment is based on fieldwork (50%) and the written reports (50%).

Examination topics

Reading list

Association in the course directory

MZO 2, MNB 6, MNB3, MZO W4, BOE 12, BZO 12

Last modified: Tu 14.03.2023 12:09