BB507: Danish Ecosystems and their development (5 ECTS)

STADS: 04000721

Level
Bachelor course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the autumn semester.
Autumn semester. 1st quarter.

Teacher responsible
Email: foa@biology.sdu.dk
Email: hsj@biology.sdu.dk

Timetable
Show entire timetable
Show personal time table for this course.

Prerequisites:
None

Academic preconditions:
None

Course introduction
To give the students knowledge about important Danish ecosystems and their flora and fauna. Emphasis will also be on the development and the future of the ecosystems. A number of common environmental problems will be discussed and demonstrated during the course. The course includes a 3-days excursion, during which a number of ecosystems will be visited.

Expected learning outcome
At the end of the course, the student is expected to:

• Explain the main points of the development of Danish landscapes and ecosystems since the last glaciation
  
• Identify and describe the most important Danish ecosystems
  
• Explain the most important ecological factors that may influence the ecosystem’s development
  
• Explain the legislative basis for conservation and management of the Danish nature
  
• Explain the principles for practical management and reestablishment of ecosystems
  
• Be able to make literature searches about the characteristics of ecosystems and their management

Subject overview
The formation and development of the most important Danish ecosystems will be discussed in lectures and seminars. For each ecosystem, focus will be on how man has changed nature (e.g. channelization of streams, draining, land reclamation, increased nitrogen deposition and climate change). Management and reestablishment of the ecosystems will also be discussed.

The following areas will be subject for the theoretical part of the course, although the choice of ecosystems may vary from year to year: Formation of the Danish landscape, protected ecosystems, lakes, river valleys, meadows, bogs, The Wadden Sea, coastal dunes, forests, heathland, grassland and the cultivated land.

There will be a compulsory ½-day and a 3-days excursion. On the excursions a number of different ecosystems will be visited. For each locality we will discuss the development and the environmental influences. Environmental problems, like iron ochre pollution, will be demonstrated.

Literature

• Henrik Vejre og Thomas Vikstrom: Guide til det danske landskab, Rhodos 1995 (optrykt som kompendium af SDU).
• Udleverede noter. .

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:
a) Project assignment which goes across the three courses held in 1st quarter. Pass/fail, internal evaluation (Weight 1 ECTS). The deadline for handing in the assignment will be announced in the beginning of the course. b) Active participation and approval of reports. Written 2-hour test with short questions (including some multiple choice questions) at the end of the course. Pass/Fail, evaluation by the teachers (4 ECTS).

Note: You do not have to hand in the first assignment (a) if you attend this class for the second time or if it is part of your programme's second or third year. You still will be attributed 5 ECTS for the whole course.

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.

Lectures and seminars (18h) and a 3-days and a ½-day excursion (28h).
Educational activities

Language
This course is taught in Danish.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.