14827 - Forest Change Ecology and Research Fundamentals Modulübersicht
| Module Number: | 14827 |
| Module Title: | Forest Change Ecology and Research Fundamentals |
| Ökologie des Waldes und Grundlagen der Forschung | |
| Department: | Faculty 2 - Environment and Natural Sciences |
| Responsible Staff Member: |
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| Language of Teaching / Examination: | English |
| Duration: | 1 semester |
| Frequency of Offer: | Every winter semester |
| Credits: | 6 |
| Learning Outcome: | By the end of this course, students will be able to: Theoretical learning outcomes - Demonstrate knowledge of forest disturbance ecology, with a particular focus on wildfire impacts, forest regeneration processes, and climate change effects. - Evaluate how forest management practices in Europe influence ecological regeneration and nutrient cycling under changing climate conditions. - Understand the principles of scientific communication. - Apply key concepts of experimental design to ecological studies. Practical learning outcomes - Collaborate in small groups to perform all aspects of experimental work, from setup through data collection and analysis to scientific presentation. - In group develop and communicate research ideas by during a workshop session designing a small hypothetical experiment, including a Page 2 of 5 research question, hypotheses, experimental design. - Interpret and apply basic statistical methods commonly used in ecological research. |
| Contents: | This course combines lectures, seminars, workshops, and hands-on experiments in group to provide a comprehensive understanding of forest ecology and scientific research methods. The course is structured around the following key components: Lectures (followed by short multi- option quiz): Lecture series on disturbance ecology and the impacts of climate change on forest regeneration and nutrient cycling These lectures explore how various ecological disturbances and changing climatic conditions affect forest regeneration and nutrient cycling. The lectures cover both natural and humaninduced disturbances (e.g., wildfire, forest management), examining their individual and combined impacts on forest ecosystems. Special emphasis is placed on understanding how climate change influences the frequency, intensity, and ecological consequences of various disturbances. The lectures integrate theory with current research to highlight the complex interactions between disturbance regimes, forest recovery, and nutrient dynamics. Experimental design and statistical analysis Core principles of designing ecological experiments and applying basic statistical tests (e.g., ANOVA, linear regression, correlation). Scientific communication Basic understanding of how to write and communicate research. Practical Components Practical experiment (each student chooses one of the two following experiments): 1. Greenhouse experiment- drought impact on seedling growth (2 groups with 4 students in each group) One tree species (P. sylvestris or Betula) x 2 drought treatments x 4 replicates, total 8 pots. The course leader will pre-germinate the seeds. Students then plant and maintain the experiment during a couple of weeks. Seedlings are harvested, above and belowground biomass and aboveground height are obtained. Statistical tests are performed, followed by a written report of maximum 5 pages (excluding references), structured as a scientific paper and presented in class. Supporting paper: Ibáñez et al., 2022. 2. LICOR Soil respiration experiment- variances of soil moisture and temperature impact on soil respiration (2 groups with 4 students in each group). Students, together with the course leader, install five collars on campus and measure, over a gradient, soil respiration, temperature and moisture. Statistical tests are performed, followed by a written report of maximum 5 pages (excluding references), structured as a scientific paper and presented in class. Supporting paper: Kelley et al., 2022. Workshop in experimental design Workshop session: Each group of 2-3 students will, after introduction, design a small hypothetical ecological experiment comprising a research question, hypotheses, experimental design. Presented and discussed by the end of the workshop in class. Supporting literature includes textbooks and recent peer-reviewed papers relevant to each experimental activity. |
| Recommended Prerequisites: | Basic knowledge of forest ecology |
| Mandatory Prerequisites: | None |
| Forms of Teaching and Proportion: |
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| Teaching Materials and Literature: | Teaching materials will be uploaded in Moodle. Scientific papers: A selection of scientific papers will be decided in prior to course start. Textbooks (free copies online and will be ordered by the Library): DISTURBANCE ECOLOGY, Editors: Thomas Wohlgemuth, Anke Jentsch, Rupert Seidl, 2022 (free copy available online): https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-98756-5 BOREAL FOREST IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE, Editors: Miguel Montoro Girona, Hubert Morin, Sylvie Gauthier, Yves Bergeron, 2023 (free copy available online): https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-15988-6 |
| Module Examination: | Continuous Assessment (MCA) |
| Assessment Mode for Module Examination: | 1. Group experiment- performance, written report, presentation. Upload the written report and presentation in Moodle (30 %) 2. Each student will read the report from one other group and formulate two questions to ask following their presentation. Upload the questions in Moodle after the presentation (20 %) 3. Quizzes after each lecture or seminar (30 %) 4. Mandatory Workshop in experimental design (20 %) All assessments are mandatory. Each student may be absent from one quiz (lecture/ seminar) per semester maximum to pass the course (several accepted with sick note or due to other urgent situation). |
| Evaluation of Module Examination: | Performance Verification – graded |
| Limited Number of Participants: | 16 |
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| Remarks: | None |
| Module Components: | Lectures, Seminars, Projekt Workshop: Experimental Design |
| Components to be offered in the Current Semester: |