BOT300 Plant Ecology

This course provides an advanced introduction to plant ecology, focusing on the patterns and processes that shape the species composition, diversity, and function of plant communities at various scales. Students will explore how biotic and abiotic factors influence vegetation dynamics, as well as how plants interact with other parts of the ecosystem, both biotic and abiotic. Specific topics covered include interactions between and within species (including competition, facilitation, and pollination), human interaction with and impact on vegetation (including the effects of land-use changes and climate change), ecological gradients with a particular focus on the basis for the classification of natural types (NiN), and the role of plant ecology in conservation biology.

The course combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills in field-based methods (with demonstration of methods during the field course), data analysis, and modeling of plant ecological data. Students will carry out a project from the development of research questions and data collection to the completion of a scientific report.

Knowledge: Students will gain an understanding of key theories and concepts in plant ecology, including ecological gradients, succession, interactions, biodiversity, macroecology, and functional traits.

Skills: Students will be able to design research projects that address specific issues in plant ecology. They will also be able to plan and conduct the collection of relevant field data to test plant ecological theories and write scientific reports that include analysis, discussion, and presentation of collected data.

General competence: Students will be able to use theoretical ecological knowledge for generating concrete research questions and plan and execute a project to answer these questions, as well as apply ecological knowledge in the sustainable management of nature. They will also be able to present research findings both in writing and orally to both academic audiences and the general public.