Universität Wien

300672 VO The Main Habitats of the World (2016W)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 30 - Biologie

On Mondays from 14:15-15:45, lecture hall 2, UZA 1 Biozentrum 2.249, 1.OG; first lecture: October 17 2016.

Details


Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Overview on the main ecological subsystems of the earth. The first chapters are dealing with general subjects, esp. with functional aspects of nutrient cycling and energy flow within the ecosphere and with the phenomenon of biodiversity and the patterns of species distribution on earth. Thereupon, special chapters are following:
Terrestrial habitats: classification, zone of tropical forests, substropical ecosystems with deciduous forests, grasslands and deserts, mediterranean ecosystems, warm and cool temperate zones with evergreen and deciduous forests, montane and boral forests, tundra and polar deserts.
Limnic habitats: their role for the global water budget, history and evolution, principles of classification and systemic features of limnic ecosystems, chemical characteristics with respect to the geological underground, the features of the catchment area and the contribution of anthropogenic pollutants, importance of limnic systems with regard to landscape ecology in general, possibilities for restauration measures.

Assessment and permitted materials

Mode of examination: Written exam with two questions out of the terrestrial, one of the limnological and one of the marinebiological parts. Several examination dates.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The lecture aims to build awareness of the global climate and ecozones, terrestrially as well as in freshwater and marine environments. Raising awareness of the abiotic requirements, the biotic composition of the biosphere and its threats appears to be essential for understanding the major ecological relationships in the context of a growing human impact.

Examination topics

Reading list


Association in the course directory

LA-BU 252, UF BU 07

Last modified: Fr 01.10.2021 00:25