BB507: Danish Ecosystems and their development (5 ECTS)

STADS: 04014301

Level
Bachelor course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the spring semester.

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:
Contents of BB531 Plants, protists and fungi assumed known.

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
There isn't any litterature for the course at the moment.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:


Date of exam
The ordinary exam takes place on June 8, 2015
The re-examination takes place on August 19, 2015

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

Lectures and seminars (16h) 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.