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701-0328-00L 4 Credits MSC D-BIOL , D-USYS

Advanced Ecological Processes

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Jake Alexander, Dr. Billur Malcoci, Dr. Agostina Torres

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:31

Abstract

This course presents a broad overview of the key processes structuring ecological populations and communities, with a particular focus on understanding and managing global change impacts.

Objective

COURSE GOALS In this course, students will develop an integrated knowledge of how ecological theory can help us understand and manage ecological responses to global change. Specifically, the course goals are to: - Introduce students to the major ecological processes that together influence population dynamics and community composition. - Provide insight to students on the ecological impacts of anthropogenic change, and how an understanding of ecological concepts can help us predict these ecological impacts and design conservation / restoration actions to mitigate their negative impacts. - Teach students to work with primary ecological literature, with a focus on understanding how each study contributes to our ecological knowledge (particularly about global change impacts and mitigation), what common strengths and weaknesses of different kinds of studies are, identifying unanswered questions, and brainstorming follow up studies. LEARNING OBJECTIVES The learning objectives follow from the course goals. After attending this course, students should be able to: - Describe key processes affecting the dynamics of populations and ecological communities. - Critically evaluate evidence and conclusions presented in primary ecological literature based on your understanding of ecological processes. - Apply knowledge of ecological concepts to make predictions about the major responses of ecological communities to anthropogenic perturbations, or devise strategies to minimize these impacts.

Content

We will explore ecological concepts and theories, focusing on how they can provide insight into the effects of anthropogenic change as well as guide management to undo undesired impacts. Collectively, this requires us to focus on classic problems in ecology (for examples, predator-prey dynamics, diversity-ecosystem function relationships, population dynamics in patchy habitats, the role of dispersal in spread). In the first half of the class, there is either a lecture or there are online materials for students to engage with (lecture videos, readings). In the second half of the class, we will work in small groups to discuss the material and / or the assigned articles. The class will therefore meet in person for all or 1/2 of the allocated time.

Resources

Lecture Notes

All course materials (videos, lecture notes, primary literature) will be provided on the course moodle.

General Information

Language: English
Levels: MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: end-of-semester examination
Mode: written 90 minutes
Aids: only calculator

The final grade comes from:- A written final examination (90 minutes) that makes up 80% of the grade.- A graded compulsory continuous performance assessment that makes up 20% of the grade, and must be passed on its own. This continuous performance assessment consists of an written assignment based on an assigned primary literature article or concept. The assignment will be prepared in groups of two or more students.

Registration & Places

Priority: Registration for the course unit is only possible for the primary target group

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Advanced Ecological Processes	No time listed	2 h weekly