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| Module 1: Forest ecology |
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Contents: Physical-chemical determinants of productivity and for the regeneration of terrestrial systems: Mechanisms, process control and effect of environmental factors on individuals and communities, as well as availability and use of resources, in particular water, nutrients, salinity and climatic factors in the tropics;
Climate: Water and radiation as controlling factors of ecological processes; spatial-temporal variability of climate factors and their interaction with ecosystems in the tropics;
Forest as source and sink of atmospheric transports: Changes of water regime and energy balance due to changes of utilization, and effects on the climate;
Causality of biological diversity: Evolution and co-evolution of the populations and communities, demographic processes and interactions, regulation in food webs; ecosystem functions and their dynamics: development of ecosystems (successions); biodiversity and ecosystem functions;
Spatial patterns and functional diversity of landscapes
Goals of qualification: The student has developed an understanding of the causality and consequences of a rapidly changing of dynamic equilibrium in the forest, with the inclusion of the interfaces to the atmosphere and hydrosphere. He or she is in a position to analyze and evaluate the possibilities and limits of control, utilization as well as regeneration (restoration, remediation) of tropical ecosystems, also for the protection of species.
Based on a scientific knowledge of bio and geo ecology the student understands measures, technologies, regulations etc. in the applied subjects. For the purpose of protection, sustainable use and regeneration of tropical forest ecosystems and landscapes the student is able to identify problems in a causal and analytical way, to plan his or her actions and to develop respective capabilities such as to apply the ecological-scientific knowledge for the management of forest ecosystems and in regard to the competition with other land uses.
The module examination consists of one seminar paper (30 hours) and an oral examination performance (20 minutes).
Literature:
Larcher W. (2002) Physiological plant ecology. Ecophysiology and stress physiology of functional groups. Springer Berlin.
Schulze, E.-D. (2005) Plant ecology, Springer Berlin.
Oke, T.R. (1987) Boundary layer climates. Methuen.
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