Integrated Practical: Terrestrial Ecology

Abstract

Field course furnishing skills in ecological measuring techniques and experiments, thus increasing knowledge of forest and grassland ecosystems. Vegetation relevés and their interpretation using indicator values and diversity indices. Measurements of plant ecophysiology, soils and microclimate. Understanding the interactions between these parameters and presentation of the results as posters.

Objective

Acquiring skills in various ecological measuring techniques and experimentation. Increasing knowledge on native forest and grassland ecosystems. Understanding interactions between vegetation, soil, and microclimate. Presentation of these interactions with posters.

Content

Comparison of deciduous forests, coniferous forests, meadows, intensively managed grasslands, and lawns to evaluate the effect of human influence. Carrying out vegetation relevés, calculation of mean indicator values and diversity indices, and measurements on plant ecophysiology. Measuring soil and microclimate factors that are important for the vegetation. Surveys of birds and soil surface arthropods in the above-mentioned ecosystems. Presentation of the results with posters, emphasising the interactions between vegetation, soil, and microclimate.

Resources