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Lecturer(s)
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Hédl Radim, Mgr. MgA. Ph.D.
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Course content
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The aim is to present the forest as an ecosystem in which plant species and their populations occur and interact, forming vegetation in a specific environment determined by the dominance of tree life forms. The types of tropical (including subtropical), temperate and boreal forests, their distribution, diversity and ecological factors that determine their occurrence and distribution on Earth will be discussed. For temperate forests in particular, we will talk about their long-term history (during the Holocene) and more recently, including human influence on the formation of the present forests. Forests will also be presented in practical terms as an economic resource and subject of nature conservation. Syllabus: 1. Forest as an ecosystem, where it occurs and how it can be characterized. 2. Energy flows and elements cycling in the forest environment. 3. Constitution of the forest: trees, herbaceous vegetation, soil organisms, invertebrates, vertebrates; in the central Europe and worldwide. 4. Forest types and approaches to their classification. 5. Diversity of forest environment at various scales. 6. Forest dynamics: from seasonal to the Holocene cycles, contemporary trends. 7. Humans and their interactions with forest in the history and at present.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Observation, Projection (static, dynamic)
- Attendace
- 24 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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The aim of the course Ecology of Forest is to acquaint students with one of the world's major types of ecosystems.
1. The students will acquire a complex overview of the forest environment. They will understand the basic terms, will get a good orientation in the field of forest ecology. 2. The students will understand the topics of publications on the forest ecology, will be able to assess their relevance in various contexts. 3. The students will be able to find themselves an additional information, design and conduct their own research in forest ecology.
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Prerequisites
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It is recommended to pass basic course of ecology before entering this course.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Mark, Oral exam, Essay, Written exam
Test and oral exam, credit after a successful accomplishment of a field practice.
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Recommended literature
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Gilliam, F. (Ed.). (2014). The herbaceous layer in forests of eastern North America. Oxford University Press.
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Neuhäuslová-Novotná, Z., Moravec, J., & Neuhäuslová-Novotná, Z. (1997). Mapa potenciální přirozené vegetace České republiky. Praha: Kartografie.
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Otto, H.-J. (1994). Waldökologie. Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart.
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Rackham, O. (2003). Ancient woodland: its history, vegetation and uses in England. Dalbeattie: Castlepoint Press.
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