BB507: Danish Ecosystems and their development (5 ECTS)

● 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, iron ochre pollution from agricultural areas and from lignite mining areas, meadows, bogs, The Wadden Sea, coastal dunes, forests, heathland, grassland and the cultivated land. There will be a 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.

The ½-day excursion will be to a reestablished gravel pit area where landscape and nature development may be observed.

The 3-days excursion will deal with:

1) The stream and its valley The river Skjern Å will be followed from its start to its mouth at Ringkøbing Fjord. Along the river we will notice the following man-made changes: Lignite mining, iron ochre pollution, channelization of rivers, and freshwater aquaculture. The re-establishment of the river system and the importance of riverine wetlands will be described. Furthermore, a small river and lake west of Haderslev, where reestablishment has taken place, will be visited.

2) The Wadden Sea. The characteristic physical features of the Wadden Sea will be described. The importance of plants and animals for the cycling of organic matter and nutrients and the development of the Wadden Sea will be adressed. The function of the Wadden Sea as an important resting place for birds will be discussed. At the Wadden Sea effects of embankment and land reclamation will be demonstrated.

3) Forest and bog. The forest Draved Skov is one of the few natural forests left in Denmark The development of the forest has been studied by pollen analysis (the principle of this analysis will be described). The bog Kongsmosen is located nearby the forest. The following threats to forests and bogs will be addressed: burning, lowering of the groundwater table, forestation of the bogs, air pollution.

Literature

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