Universität Wien
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300471 UE+EX Alpine Plant Life (2025S)

5.00 ECTS (4.00 SWS), SPL 30 - Biologie
Continuous assessment of course work
Mo 10.03. 17:00-18:00 Übungsraum 2 (Fakultätszentrum für Biodiversität) Rennweg 1.OG

Details

max. 12 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

    Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

    Information

    Aims, contents and method of the course

    Aims:
    - Understanding adaptations of alpine plants to their niches (e.g., substrate, position along a snow cover gradient)
    - Understanding factors (ecological, historical) affecting the occurrence of mountain species
    - Comprehending the main alpine habitat types, their position in an ecological context, and the most important characterizing species

    Contents:
    Ecology and adaptations of alpine plants; biogeography and diversity of mountain plants.

    Methods:
    Excursion in two mountain areas with differing geological substrate (Raxalpe with limestones; Rottenmanner Tauern with siliceous rocks). Topics will be covered in the field (as long as the weather permits) by presentations of the course leaders and group-work on specific topics by the students.

    Estimated costs: ca. 450 Euro

    Assessment and permitted materials

    In total, 20 points can be gathered. These are distributed among tasks as follows:
    (1) Open book exam (online via Moodle) on topics covered in an introductory lecture: 4 points
    (2) Five (oral or written) interim exams (one can be cancelled) on topics covered during the excursion, such as recognizing important vegetation types and their ecological characteristics, characteristic species, or functional plant ecology; for these tests, which may be held in the field, students can use their field notes: 4 points each, in total 16 points

    Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

    Minimum requirement for positive credit: 10.25 points
    Credit key:
    0-10 points: failed (5)
    10.25-12.5 points: sufficient (4)
    12.75-15 points: satisfactory (3)
    15.25-17.5 points: good (2)
    17.75-20 points: excellent (1)

    Examination topics

    Topics covered during the course (e.g., alpine ecology, plant diversity, biogeography)

    Reading list

    H. Reisigl, R. Keller: Alpenpflanzen im Lebensraum (Gustav Fischer 1994)
    Dieter Heß: Alpenblumen Erkennen - Verstehen - Schützen (Ulmer 2001)
    Ch. Körner: Alpine Plant Life, 2nd ed. (Springer 2003)
    L. Nagy, G. Grabherr: The Biology of Alpine Habitats (Oxford 2009)

    There are numerous photo-rich books on alpine plants; here's just a selection:
    D. Aeschimann, K. Lauber, D.M. Moser, J.P. Theurillat: Flora Alpina (Haupt 2004)
    D. Aichele, H. W. Schwegler: Blumen der Alpen (Kosmos 2006)
    X. Finkenzeller, G. Steinbach: Steinbachs Naturführer. Alpenblumen: Erkennen und bestimmen (Ulmer 2003)
    Th. Muer, O. Angerer: Alpenpflanzen (Ulmer 2004)

    Association in the course directory

    MBO 7, MEC-9, MNB6

    Last modified: Fr 10.01.2025 13:06