VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.

701-0561-00L 3 Credits BSC D-USYS
You're viewing possible stale or outdated data. Please check the latest semester for more up-to-date information.

Forest Ecology

Waldökologie

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Harald Bugmann
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:14:27

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. Overall, the competences of process understanding, system understanding, modeling, concept development and data analysis & interpretation are taught and examined in this course.

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 are available for download fromhttps://fe.ethz.ch/studium/lehrmaterialien/bachelor/waldoekologie.html.

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
  • Wed 10:15-12:00 (CHN F 42)
2 h weekly

Offered In

  • Environmental Sciences Bachelor
    • Specialization in an Environmental System
      • 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) 701-0951-00L GIST - Einführung in die räumlichen Informationswissenschaften und -technologien (Autumn Semester) 551-0448-00L Zoologie (Spring semester) 701-0360-00L Systematische Biologie: Pflanzen (Spring semester) These courses should be successfully completed during the second year.)