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Lecturer(s)
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Mazalová Monika, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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Introduction to the study of ecology: the roots of the discipline, basic definitions, questions addressed and methods used, and proximate and ultimate explanations. Evolutionary ecology as the fundamental ecological background (adaptation, evolution, convergence, divergence, speciation, Darwin and Wallacethe foundations of the theory of evolution by natural selectionthe role of genetic variability and natural selection). The environment and organismsecological factors and resources, ecological valence, and the fundamental and realized ecological niche. The main factors and resources affecting organisms; adaptations of plants and animals to the most important environmental factors. Populations; basic population processes affecting population dynamics; the negative relationship between population density and growth rate; exponential versus logistic population growth; and the main processes regulating population growth. Communities; interspecific interactions; food webs; diversity; ecological stability; and succession (basic models of successional development, types of succession and their parameters, and the main differences between them). Ecosystems; energy flow and nutrient cycling; biotic and abiotic components; functional processes; ecological mechanisms; trophic relationships; productivity; and decomposition. Principles governing the distribution of the major global ecosystems (biomes) on Earth, their basic characteristics, and the adaptations of their flora and fauna.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Lecture, Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Projection (static, dynamic), Group work
- Attendace
- 24 hours per semester
- Preparation for the Course Credit
- 12 hours per semester
- Homework for Teaching
- 36 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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Adequate knowledge of the topics covered in the lectures (see the course content in the Content section).
Graduate student has general knowledge on evolutionary background of biology/ecology, is well-informed within ecological terms as convergence, divergence, adaptation, life-history, trade-off, ecological niche, mechanisms of speciation, biodiversity etc. He is able to define the most important factors of external environment affecting organisms and the adaptations to various "extreme conditions" within typical organisms inhabiting these environments. He is able to determine essential resources for opposite groups of organisms (autotrophic vers. heterotrophic), understands the basics of main intra-population and inter-population processes and the biodiversity distribution on Earth incl. explanation of its main gradients.
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Prerequisites
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Knowledge of Biology (grammar school)
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Mark, Oral exam, Written exam, Student performance, Seminar Work
Course credit based on the preparation of a selected ecology topic in the form of a presentation and a short mini-lecture delivered to an audience, together with answering questions raised by the audience, as well as a seminar paper meeting the specified requirements (see the materials in the relevant section of the Moodle course for the given academic year). This is followed by an examination. Successful completion requires a good overview of the material covered in the lectures, i.e. the course content according to the syllabus. The examination is based on the available lecture presentations and the required study literature. It is conducted in written form; in the event of a tied score, an additional oral examination may be required.
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Recommended literature
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Begon, M., Harper, J., Townsend, C.R. (1997). Ekologie: jedinci, populace a společenstva. Olomouc.
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Laštůvka Z., Krejčová P. Ekologie. Brno. 2014.
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Storch, D., Mihulka, S. Úvod do současné ekologie.
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Townsend,C.R., Begon M., Harper J.L. (2010). Základy ekologie. Olomouc.
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