300523 UE Telemetry& Population ecology in Alpine amphibiens (2008S)

The course includes two excursions and a 5 day field course. A moor in Carinthia beginning of April is visited to see the brightly blue coloured male Moor frogs during their explosive breeding (2 days). One excursion to a non-alpine habitat will give an insight into actual amphibian conservation measures. The field course (early in June, Hochmölbinghütte, Totes Gebirge, Styria) aims to provide a practical insight in field ecological methods to allow first-hand experience. Emphasis is on the techniques and methods rather than their theoretical backgrounds. Methods shown include different marking techniques for amphibians, population size estimation by the means of capture-mark-recapture procedures, radio tracking, and food content analysis. Students give a short oral presentation on a scientific paper, carry out a small project, and write a scientific manuscript. The course is held jointly with the University of Salzburg course "Methods in Field Herpetology" (437.757) by R. Schabetsberger