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Nature conservation and urban ecology
Naturschutz und Stadtbioökologie
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:28:56
Abstract
Nature conservation: Human impact on nature. Species and habitat preservation. Legal principles, organization and finance. The work of conservation experts. Case studies. Field trips: wetlands, dry grasslands. Urban ecology. Towns: ecosystems with specific habitat conditions, human impact and characteristic flora and fauna. Implementation of nature conservation. Case studies. Field-trip in Zurich.
Objective
Nature conservation: Acquisition of the skills necessary to recognize and understand nature conservation problems, and to conceive a solution. In addition to environmental science fundamentals this also requires social science skills such as argumentation aids and economic, political and legal viewpoints. Introduction and practical experience of nature and landscape conservation issues (with field trips); getting to know various ecosystems with specific case studies and projects. Urban ecology; Becoming familiar with towns as ecosystem complexes. Understanding interactions between building/utilisation and nature. Being able to comprehend specific problems and apply conceptional principles of nature conservation in a dynamic environment.
Content
Nature conservation: Practice-oriented aspects of nature conservation are the focal point. Human impact on nature and landscape. Species and habitat preservation. Theory of island biogeography. Legal principles. Organization and finance. The work of nature conservation experts. Case studies: Reintroduction of the Bearded Vulture in the Alps, protection of the African Elephant, and others. Field trips to alluvial forests, fens and restored areas in the Swiss midlands (Laupen BE) and to various forests, hedges and dry grasslands in the Jura mountains (Randen SH). Becoming familiar with ecosystems and their species (plants, birds, amphibians, various insects), threats, conservation and management. Urban ecology: Abiotic fundamentals (urban climate, etc.) human utilisation and urban nature; flora and fauna (examples, characteristics, origins, etc.), nature conservation and urban nature (impact, threat, potential); nature-oriented layout and maintenance, conceptional principles.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Nature conservation and urban ecology: Worksheets and a script are distributed.Detailed documentation for the field trips, lists of references.
Literature
Nature conservation: Kaule, G., 1991: Arten- und Biotopschutz, 2. Aufl., 519 S., UTB, Ulmer, Stuttgart. Plachter, H., 1991: Naturschutz, 463 S., UTB 1563, Ulmer, Stuttgart, (vergriffen) Hintermann, U., Broggi, M. F., Locher, R., Gallendat, J.-D., 1995: Mehr Raum für die Natur, SBN, Ott, Thun. Primack, R.B.: Naturschutzbiologie. Spektrum, Heidelberg, 1995 Konold, W., Böcker, R. Hampicke, U. (Hrsg.) 1999ff: Handbuch Natur- und Landschaftsschutz. Ecomed, Landsberg. Primack, R. B., 2004: A primer in conservation Biology. 3rd ed. Sinauer, Sunderland. USA. Urban ecology: Sukopp H., Wittig, R., (2. Aufl.) 1998: Stadtökologie. Fischer, Stuttgart. Ritter M., Wullschläger, P., Aeberhard, T., 2000: Natur auf dem Weg zurück in die Stadt. Leitfaden Umwelt Nr. 8. Bundesamt für Umwelt, Wald und Landschaft. Bern. 44 S. Leutert F., Winkler A., Pfaendler, U., 1995: Naturnahe Gestaltung im Siedlungsraum. Leitfaden Umwelt Nr. 5. Bundesamt für Umwelt, Wald und Landschaft. Bern.112 S. Ineichen S., 1997: Die wilden Tiere in der Stadt. Zur Naturgeschichte der Stadt. Verlag im Waldgut, Frauenfeld. 278 S.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 60 minutes
- Aids
- Keine.
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Naturschutz und Stadtbioökologie |
|
2 h weekly |