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Forest Ecology
Waldökologie
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:46:59
Abstract
This course conveys the basics of forest ecology with an emphasis on trees as those organisms that dominate the physiognomy and the dynamics of forest ecosystems. Based on this course, students have a good grasp of the qualitative and quantitative importance of forest ecosystems at the global and regional scales, with a focus on central Europe.
Objective
Students are able to - summarize the fundamentals of forest ecology at the autecological, demecological and synecological level - explain how trees dominate the physiognomy and dynamics of forest ecosystems - describe the qualitative and quantitative importance of forest ecosystems at the global and regional scales, with an emphasis on central Europe and Alpine region.
Content
Introduction and overview of the forests of the world Forest ecosystem ecology: Production ecology of forests Autecology: light, temperature, wind, water, and nutrients Demecology: regeneration ecology, forest growth, mortality Synecology: fundamentals of trophic interactions (forest-ungulate interactions), succession
Resources
Lecture Notes
Handouts (mixture of overhead slides and full text chapters) are sold at costRelevant chapters from textbooks will be indicated.
Literature
Kimmins, J.P., 2004. Forest Ecology. Third ed., Pearson-Prentice Hall
Learning Materials (Links)
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 90 minutes
- Aids
- Taschenrechner mitnehmen (nicht programmierbar, nicht kommunikationsfähig)Wörterbücher sind für nicht deutschsprachige Studierende erlaubt.
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Waldökologie |
|
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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Forest and Landscape (The following courses are highly recommended as preparation for the Specialization in Forest and Landscape: 701-0266-00L Einführung in die Dendrologie (Autumn semester) 551-0435-00L Systematische Biologie: Zoologie (Spring semester) 701-0360-00L Systematische Biologie: Pflanzen (Spring semester) These courses should be successfully completed during the second year.)
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