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Vertebrate Ecology
Ökologie der Wirbeltiere
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:47:00
Abstract
The course covers the ecology and conservation biology of birds and mammals. Important concepts from physiology, behavioural ecology, population biology, biogeography and community ecology will be linked to applications in conservation and management. A worldwide perspective will be complemented by a focus on the Central European fauna and its dynamics.
Objective
The students are familiar with important topics in animal ecology, with an emphasis on birds and mammals. They are able to link theoretical concepts with ecological phenomena and view them against an evolutionary backdrop. They can thus appraise applied aspects of the conservation and the use of animal populations, such as the influence of larger predators on prey populations or of herbivores on vegetation, the effects of hunting, landscape change, or of other human influences on animal populations. They understand the biogeographical characteristics of the Central European vertebrate fauna and its temporal and spatial dynamics.
Content
The course deals with a number of main topics that include feeding and resource use, spatial behaviour and migrations, reproduction, population dynamics, competition and predation, parasites and diseases, biodiversity and distributions, and dynamics of the Central European fauna. There is an emphasis on linking theory with management issues in conservation and management of wildlife populations. During the first half of the course, examples will be drawn worldwide whereas during the second half, the course will focus more strongly on the European fauna, particularly of the Alpine region. Although the course is not designed to teach natural history of the native species, examples will cover much of the taxonomic breadth of the European fauna. Program (JS: Josef Senn, KB: Kurt Bollmann): 27.9. – Birds and mammals: similarities & differences, evolution, moult in birds (JS & KB) 4.10. – Feeding I: Food, metabolism (KB) 11.10. - Feeding II: Herbivory, Foraging (KB) 18.10. – Distribution and habitat use (KB) 25.10. – Reproduction (KB) 1.11. – Population dynamics (KB) 8.11. – Predation (KB) 15.11. – Competition (JS) 22.11. – Parasitism and diseases (JS) 29.11. – Biogeography of central European birds and mammals (JS) 6.12. – Herbivores as landscape engineers (JS) 13.12. – Exploitation of mammals and birds (JS) 20.12. – Conservation biology, case studies (JS)
Resources
Lecture Notes
Lecture notes will be available.
Literature
Literature will be listed in the lecture notes. Some additional papers will be distributed. Some books relevant to the course are (optional reading): - Suter, W. 2017. Ökologie der Wirbeltiere. Vögel und Säugetiere. UTB/Haupt, Bern. This book is based on the course. It is in German. - Fryxell, J.M., Sinclair, A.R.E., & Caughley, G. 2014. Wildlife Ecology, Conservation, and Management. 3rd ed. Wiley Blackwell, Chichester, UK.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 60 minutes
- Aids
- Keine Hilfsmittel erlaubt (ausser Wörterbuch).
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Ökologie der Wirbeltiere |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Environmental Sciences Bachelor (Students can choose between one Bachelor thesis of 10KP or two Bachelor theses of 5KP each. In principle, all professors and lecturers involved in the teaching of the Environmental Sciences degree programme are entitled to supervise a Bachelor's thesis (BA). BA in the area of social sciences and humanities can only be supervised by lecturers who teach in this area. The same applies to BA in the field of natural sciences and technology. If the thesis is supervised by a person who does not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme or who does not have ETH lecturer status, then the student has to fill in the "Form for supervisors of a Bachelor thesis who do not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme" Link)
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