Environment I: Introduction to generel ecology, conservation and urban ecology

Abstract

Gain basic ecological knowledge and understanding of important ecological concepts and interconnections. Sensitise to current and future ecological problems that will increasingly become focal points for research.Fundamentals of urban ecology are presented with examples from Central Europe.

Objective

Students are able to present basic concepts and interconnections in scientific ecology, conservation and urban ecology and conceive application possibilities. They are sensitised to ecological and conservation problems and recognise the research questions that arise from them.

Content

Discussion of concepts of ecology as well as nature and environmental conservation. Hierarchical composition of the biosphere. The “ecosystem” concept. Fundamentals of aquatic and terrestrial ecology: water, radiation, temperature, disturbances and nutrients as environmental factors or resources. Water as a habitat. Competition; positive interactions; trophic levels and energy transfer in ecosystems. Population ecology; ecological niches; life cycle strategies and functional groups. Basics of nature conservation: arguments pro and contra conservation; threatened and enhanced species, plant communities and natural processes; Red Lists, island biogeography. Basics of urban ecology: plants and animals in the city, urban climate and soils. Questions of valuation and planning.

Resources