13822 - Biodiversity of Terrestrial Arthropods Modulübersicht

Module Number: 13822
Module Title:Biodiversity of Terrestrial Arthropods
  Biodiversität terrestrischer Arthropoden
Department: Faculty 2 - Environment and Natural Sciences
Responsible Staff Member:
  • Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Birkhofer, Klaus
Language of Teaching / Examination:English
Duration:1 semester
Frequency of Offer: Every winter semester
Credits: 6
Learning Outcome:The module Biodiversity of Terrestrial Arthropods provides an overview of the taxonomy and ecology of arthropods in terrestrial ecosystems
 
Part "Biodiversity: Lecture"
The lectures introduce the taxonomy of terrestrial invertebrates with diagnostics for major orders and highlight the ecology of selected case taxa. Students will learn about
  • Phylogenetic relationships of major terrestrial invertebrate orders
  • Identification and diagnostics of major terrestrial invertebrate orders
  • Ecology of major terrestrial invertebrate orders
Part "Biodiversity: Seminar"
The seminars are based on student presentations of an assigned scientific publication focusing on the ecology of selected terrestrial invertebrate taxa. Students will learn about
  • Interpretation of scientific articles
  • Ecology of a selected case taxon
  • Summarizing and presenting scientific results
Part "Biodiversity: Courses"
The courses will take students to the sample collection and biological course room of the Department to study terrestrial arthropods. Students will learn about
  • Identification of arthropods and use of taxonomic determination keys
  • Ecological field work methods with a focus on biodiversity assessment
Contents:Part "Biodiversity: Lecture"
  • Terrestrial arthropod taxonomy
  • Terrestrial arthropod ecology
Part "Biodiversity: Seminar"
  • Threats to terrestrial arthropod biodiversity
  • Status of terrestrial arthropod biodiversity
  • Solutions to biodiversity loss in terrestrial arthropod communities
Part "Biodiversity: Course"
  • Field methods to sample terrestrial arthropods
  • Diagnostic criteria to identify major terrestrial arthropod orders in the laboratory
Recommended Prerequisites:For Master students Module 41217 “General and Applied Ecology"
Mandatory Prerequisites:None
Forms of Teaching and Proportion:
  • Lecture / 1 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Seminar / 1 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Excursion / 4 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Self organised studies / 146 Hours
Teaching Materials and Literature:Part "Biodiversity: Lecture"
The class is organized as a weekly lecture introducing major orders of terrestrial invertebrates. Lecture-like presentations are complemented by discussions. Self-organized work, in particular acquiring more detailed knowledge of the taxonomic groups is required.
 
E-books
 
Piper R, What Insects Do, and Why
Schowalter TD, Insect ecology: an ecosystem approach
Beutel RG & Friedrich F, Insect morphology and phylogeny
Resh VH, Encyclopaedia of insects
New TR, Insect species conservation: Ecology, biodiversity, and conservation
Samways MJ, Insect diversity conservation
 
Part "Biodiversity: Seminar"
A scientific paper focusing on the ecology of a major order of terrestrial invertebrates is assigned to students. The content of the paper will then be presented as an oral presentation in the seminar by the students following the lecture. All seminar topics and material is provided.
 
E-books
 
Brock PD, Britain's Insects: A Field Guide to the Insects of Great Britain and Ireland
Santos JC, Measuring arthropod biodiversity: a handbook of sampling methods
Module Examination:Continuous Assessment (MCA)
Assessment Mode for Module Examination:Part "Biodiversity: Seminar"
One oral presentation, 25 min + 20 min discussion (50%)
 
Part " Biodiversity: Lecture "
One written examination, 80 min. (50%)
Evaluation of Module Examination:Performance Verification – graded
Limited Number of Participants:None
Part of the Study Programme:
  • no assignment
Remarks:Complementary module ERM (M.Sc.)
Module Components:None
Components to be offered in the Current Semester:
  • no assignment