Course: Ecology

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Course title Ecology
Course code KBI/N200
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Lesson
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction unspecified
Work placements unspecified
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Klečka Jan, RNDr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Evolution by natural selection and its significance for the study of ecology 2. Abiotic environmental factors and the adaptations of organisms for life under various conditions 3. Resources necessary for the life of plants and animals 4. Fundamentals of population ecology - population dynamics and intraspecific competition 5. Interspecific interactions - mutualisms, trophic interactions, and food webs 6. Community ecology - species and functional diversity, temporal dynamics, and ecological succession 7. The flow of energy and materials through ecosystems 9. Organisms in space - metapopulations, island biogeography, and global distribution of biodiversity on Earth 10. Applied ecology and current environmental issues

Learning activities and teaching methods
unspecified
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to introduce abiotic and biotic environmental variables affecting different organisms and to discuss adaptations which evolved in different species (plants, fungi, invertebrate and vertebrate animals) in response to these factors. Students will gain theoretical background in population ecology, interspecific interactions (competition, predation, parasitism, mutualism, etc.), and community ecology. In addition, students will learn about global environmental issues, such as climate change and the impact of invasive species on local ecosystems. During practical classes, students will be introduced to selected methods of modern ecological research. Overall, students will gain broad theoretical background in complex interactions among organisms and their environment at different levels and learn about ecological processes affecting the sustainability of ecosystems.

Prerequisites
unspecified

Assessment methods and criteria
unspecified
Students are required to attend practical classes and pass an oral exam to complete the course.
Recommended literature
  • Begon, Harper a kol. Ekologie, jedinci, populace a společenstva. Nakl. UP Olomouc.. UP Olomouc, 1997.
  • Divigneaud P. Ekologická syntéza. Academia . Praha.. 1988.
  • Dorst, J. Ohrožená příroda. Praha, Orbis, 1985.
  • Frouz, J. a Frouzová, J. Aplikovaná ekologie. Univerzita Karlova (Karolinum), 2021.
  • Jeník J. Ekosystémy. PřF UK Praha. 133pp. 1996.
  • Kudrna K. a kol. Biosféra a lidstvo. Academia. Praha.. 1988.
  • Losos B. Ekologie živočichů. SPN. Praha.. 1985.
  • Pivnička K. Ekologie. Univerzita Karlova. Praha.. 1988.
  • Polášková, A. Úvod do ekologie a ochrany životního prostředí. Karolinum, 2011.
  • Pollock, S. Atlas ohrožených živočichů (The Atlas of Endangered Animals). Praha, NDOP, 64 s., 1995.
  • Prach, K., Štech, M., & Říha, P. Ekologie a rozšíření biomů na Zemi.
  • Slavíková J. Ekologie rostlin. SPN. Praha.. 1986.
  • Storch, D. a Mihulka, S. Úvod do současné ekologie. Portál, Praha, 2000.
  • Tkadlec, E. Populační ekologie: struktura, růst a dynamika populací..
  • Townsend, C.R., Begon, M. a Harper, J.L. Základy ekologie. Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, 2010.
  • Vlasák, P. 1986. Ekologie savců. Academia, Praha. 291 str..
  • Wilmer P, Stone G., Johnston I. Environmental Physiology of Animals (second edition). Blackwell Publishing, 2 5.


Study plans that include the course