Course: Terrestrial ecosystems

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Course title Terrestrial ecosystems
Course code EKO/TEEK
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional, Optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Zeidler Miroslav, RNDr. Ph.D.
  • Kuras Tomáš, RNDr. Ph.D.
  • Mazalová Monika, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Tkadlec Emil, prof. MVDr. CSc.
Course content
Main Earth`s terrestrial biomes and their limiting factors (biotic, abiotic). Whittaker Biome Diagram, Raunki?r life-forms of plants, divergence and convergence of communities, zonal, azonal and extrazonal ecosystems, klinal variability, zonoecotone, concept of the Walter climadiagrams. Tropical biomes (tropical rainforests, savannas, semi-humid tropical forests, deserts - distribution, distribution, limiting factors, types, structural and function characteristics, adaptations, life- forms, human impact). Temperate biomes (temperate deciduous forests, grasslands, chaparral - distribution, limiting factors, types, structural and function characteristics, adaptations, life- forms, human impact). Boreal ecosystems (tundra, taiga, polar deserts- distribution, distribution, limiting factors, types, structural and function characteristics, adaptations, life- forms, human impact Arctic, Antarctic). Azonal ecosytems: alpine tundra, wetlands (peat bogs, fenlands, salt marches, flood plain forests - distribution, distribution, limiting factors, types, structural and function characteristics, adaptations, life- forms, human impact). Urban ecosystems and agroecosystems - distribution, limiting factors, types, structural and function characteristics).

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Projection (static, dynamic)
  • Attendace - 24 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The course aims at presenting actual information and procedures from the branch. Major approaches, conceptual and theoretical topics are listed in syllabus.
Knowledge Describe biomes of tropical, temperate and boreal zone Explain macroecological patterns of the biomes, adaptation of animals and plants and the major factors affecting the structure of the biomes
Prerequisites
Fundamentals of ecology, community and ecosystem ecology.

Assessment methods and criteria
Mark, Oral exam, Written exam

Written or oral exam in frame of presented lectures and recommended literature.
Recommended literature
  • Aber J.D., Melillo J.M. (2001). Terrestrial Ecosystems. 2nd ed. Harcourt/Academic Press, San Diego, 556 pp.
  • Coupland R.T., (ed.). (1993). Eastern Hemisphere and Resumé. Series: Ecosystems of the World 8B. Elsevier, Netherlands.
  • Coupland R.T. (ed.). (1992). Natural Grasslands: Introduction and Western Hemisphere. Series: Ecosystems of the World 8A.. Elsevier, Netherlands.
  • Evenari M. (ed.). (1985). Hot Deserts and Arid Shrublands. Series: Ecosystems of the World 12A. Elsevier, Netherlands.
  • Evenari M. (ed.). (1986). Hot Deserts and Arid Shrublands. Series: Ecosystems of the World 12B. Elsevier, Netherlands.
  • Gore A. (ed.). (1983). Mires: Swamp, Bog, Fen and Moor: General Studies. Series 4A. Elsevier, Netherlands.
  • Hendrych R. (1984). Fytogeografie. SPN Praha.
  • Chapin III F.S., Matson P.A., Mooney H.A. (2002). Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology. Springer-Ver., New York, 436 pp.
  • Jeník, J. (1998). Ekosystémy : Úvod do organizace zonálních a azonálních biomů. Praha: Karolinum.
  • Rohrig E., Ulrich B. (eds.). (1992). Temperate Deciduous Forests. Series: Ecosystems of the World 7. Elsevier, Netherlands.
  • Schluze E.D., Mooney H.A. (1993). Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function. Springer-Ver., Berlin, 525 pp.
  • Van der Maarel E. (ed.). (1993). Dry Coastal Ecosystems: Polar Regions and Europe. Series: Ecosystems of the World 2A. Elsevier, Netherlands.
  • World 12B. Elsevier, Netherlands, 1981. World 12B. Elsevier, Netherlands, 1981..


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Teaching Training in Biology and Environmental Education for Secondary Schools (2021) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Winter