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Disturbance ecology
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:29:47
Abstract
The course outlines the theoretical developments in disturbance ecology, and aims to provide an overarching framework within which disturbance can be understood. It explores the role of disturbance in shaping communities and ecosystems, and how elements of ecosystems, including habitats, species and populations, respond to disturbances.
Objective
This cours aims at giving the students fundamental knowledge about the crucial role of disturbance in ecosystems. Thus, students will be able to - identify and describe disturbance processes in various ecosystems - integrate interacting processes in an ecological framework - draw conclusions for appropriate management arrangements in case of problematic ecological processes.
Content
Disturbance is a central feature of natural systems, crucial for their dynamics and renewal. It serves to maintain landscape, habitat and species diversity, and these factors in turn shape the disturbance regime itself and the environmental responses to disturbances. Ecosystems are influenced by disturbances of various kinds, such as fires, windstorms, landslides, flooding, logging, grazing, burrowing animals and outbreaks of pathogens. Due to natural and anthropogenic disturbances, ecosystems undergo changes that are sudden or gradual, dramatic or subtle. The pervasiveness of disturbances in all ecosystems, at a wide range of spatial and temporal scales, and across several levels of ecological organization, underlies their importance. Consequently, there is a need to understand natural disturbance regimes to achieve effective land and resource management. Additionally, the different elements of disturbance regimes interact. To understand and ultimately predict how these complex disturbances and disturbance regimes affect ecosystems, it is necessary to know more about the physical and biological processes involved and to learn how to link these processes within ecological systems. The course outlines the theoretical developments in disturbance ecology, and aims to provide an overarching framework within which disturbance can be understood. It explores the role of disturbance in shaping communities and ecosystems, and how elements of ecosystems, including habitats, species and populations, respond to disturbances. Concepts of resilience and resistance are introduced, and these too are placed in the wider context of the (non-equilibrium) dynamics of natural systems. Several important biotic and abiotic disturbance types are explored in more detail, noting specifically those disturbances that have particular relevance for important Swiss and European ecosystems. The course recognizes, and emphasizes, the interactions among these different disturbance processes, and these are explored further using case studies and examples from temperate and tropical systems.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DR , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Disturbance ecology |
|
2 h weekly |