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701-0364-00L 1 Credits BSC , MSC D-USYS , D-BIOL
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Flora and Vegetation of the Alps

Flora und Vegetation der Alpen

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Alex Widmer
This lecture includes a 4-day excursion (max. 24 places) to Davos. To participate in the excursion, the course "Soils and Vegetation of the Alps" (No. 701-0362-00) must be taken separately.
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:38:41

Abstract

This course provides an introduction to the flora and vegetation of the Alps. This includes the climatic conditions at different elevations, the origin of Alpine plants, centers of diversity, ecological requirements and adaptations to prevailing environmental conditions, as well as characteristic plant communities at different altitudes and soil types.

Objective

The students - understand how climatic and edaphic factors affect the occurrence and distribution of alpine plants - know characteristic plant species of the subalpine and alpine elevational belts in the Alps - are familiar with characteristic plant communities on acidic, basic and ultramafic soils in the subalpine and alpine elevational belts.

Content

Climatic conditions at different elevations in the Alps; origin and distribution patterns; centers of diversity; ecological requirements and adaptations to prevailing environmental conditions; altitudinal belts; characteristic plant communities on different bedrock (dolomite, acidic and basic silicates, serpentine).

Resources

Lecture Notes

Course material will be provided.

Literature

Landolt E. 2003: Unsere Alpenflora. 7.Aufl., SAC-Verlag.

General Information

Language
German
Levels
BSC , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Flora und Vegetation der Alpen
  • Wed 08:15-10:00 (LFV E 41)
1 h weekly

Offered In