Identification and description of the relationship between habitat (abiotic factors) and different biocoenoses.

This introductory lecture in ecology covers basic ecological concepts and the most important levels of complexity in ecological research. Ecological concepts are exemplified by using aquatic and terrestrial systems; corresponding methodological approaches are demonstrated. Threats to biodiversity and the appropriate management are discussed.

Essentials of aquatic and terrestrial ecology. Introduction of basic methods for the analysis of aquatic and terrestrial populations. Comparisons of neophytes and indigenous plants. Chronology of herbs. Adaptations of organisms to specific habitats. Community ecology of plankton, neuston and benthos in lotic and lentic waters.

Patterns of species distribution in the landscape, and how these are related to specific plant traits, are (1) introduced in two lectures and (2) studied in the field on two excursions, one in an agricultural landscape and one in a subalpine pasture area.

Plants adjust to their environment through plasticity and evolution. What are important morphological and physiological traits? Which ecological, biochemical and genetic processes are involved? This course presents recent research results in three fields: light perception and its role in regulating plant activity, plant invasion ecology, and life strategies of clonal plants.

This 1st year Laboratory course introduces the student to the entire range of classical and modern molecular biosciences. During this course (Praktikum GL BioI) the students will do three praktikum days in:- Biochemistry- Cell Biology I- Microbiology- Plant Anantomy & Ecology(total of 12 experiments)Each experiment takes one full day.