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701-0314-01L 3 Credits BSC , MSC D-USYS , D-BIOL

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Plant Diversity: Subalpine/Alpine

Pflanzendiversität: subalpin/alpin

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Reinhard Berndt, Dr. Alessia Guggisberg

Prerequisite: Enrollment and successful performance assessment of LV 701-0360-00L (Systematic Biology: Plants). Enrollment for target group until 16.02.2020 Waiting list until 27.03.2020. The excursion fee has to be payed until 02.03.2020. Unpaid places will be given to students on the waiting list.

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:41:01

Abstract

The practical focuses on the flora and vegetation of the northern Alps and covers the altitudinal range between the upper montane and the lower alpine zone. During an excursion to Kandersteg, the students will deepen their knowledge of plant species and learn to recognize important vegetation units and their ecological characteristics. An introduction will be provided in Zurich.

Objective

Getting to know the most important vegetation types, their flora and ecological conditions in the northern Alps (Bernese Oberland). Consolidation of taxonomic and plant morphological knowledge. Experience in plant determination using scientific determination keys.

Content

This course provides an introduction to the flora and vegetation of the northern Alps. During the excursions, the students will become acquainted with the botanical richness of the Alps and the ecological specificities of the encountered habitats. The students will not only gain knowledge in plant species, but also learn which environmental conditions do plants cope with and which adaptation they have evolved. We will further introduce the geology of the Alps and investigate, how the bedrock influences the vegetation in the alpine zone. Following topics will be addressed in this course: 1) Lectures: Climatic and geological divisions of the Alps. Effect of local conditions on vegetation of different altitudes. Adaptation of plants to various alpine conditions. 2) Excursions: Identification of vascular plant species. Characteristic vegetation types of the subalpine and alpine zone (e.g. subalpine conifer forests, tall-herb communities and green alder scrubs, alpine grassland and scree vegetation, subalpine floodplain forest with fens) and their ecological conditions. Interaction between plants and their environment: examples from pollination, reproduction and dispersal strategies; Adaptations of plant species to their environment.

Resources

Literature

-Baltisberger M., Nyffeler R. & Widmer A. 2013: Systematische Botanik. 4., vollständig überarbeitete und erweiterte Aufl. v/d/f Hochschulverlag AG an der ETH Zürich. -Hess H.E., Landolt E., Hirzel R. & Baltisberger M. 2015: Bestimmungsschlüssel zur Flora der Schweiz. 7., aktualisierte und überarbeitete Aufl., Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel/Boston/Berlin.

General Information

Language: German
Levels: BSC , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: graded semester performance

Die Note setzt sich aus einem Bestimmungstest und einer schriftlichen Prüfung zusammen.

Registration & Places

Max Places: 12

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
practical/laboratory course	Pflanzendiversität: subalpin/alpin Der Kurs findet in den Semesterferien statt: Einführungsveranstaltung am ETH Zentrum: 16.6.2020 5-tägige Exkursion (Kandersteg/BE): 22.-26.6.2020 Klausur und Herbarbesuch am Botanischen Garten der Universität Zürich: 29.6.2020	16.06 Date 13:15-16:00 (CHN G 42)	90 h semesterly