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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: basic terms, definitions and methods, proximate and ultimate causation. Ecological factors and sources. Environment and organisms, adaptations, evolution, convergence, divergence, speciation. Population, dynamics of populations, interactions of populations with environmental factors. Community, interactions between species, food webs, species richness, diversity, ecological stability. Ecosystems, flows of energy and nutrient cycling, biotic and abiotic components, functional processes, ecological mechanisms, trophic interactions, productivity, decomposition. Actual problems in environmental and conservation ecology.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Lecture, Projection (static, dynamic)
- 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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Introduction to the study of ecology: basic terms, definitions and methods, proximate and ultimate causation. Ecological factors and sources. Environment and organisms, adaptations, evolution, convergence, divergence, speciation. Population, dynamics of populations, interactions of populations with environmental factors. Community, interactions between species, food webs, species richness, diversity, ecological stability. Ecosystems, flows of energy and nutrient cycling, biotic and abiotic components, functional processes, ecological mechanisms, trophic interactions, productivity, decomposition. Actual problems in environmental and conservation ecology.
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
First requirement is to prepare the oral presentation of selected ecological theme, then to write a seminary thesis respecting set criteria for scientific text. After meeting these condition is student allowed to write an exam - passing of the exam presumes a good knowledge and orientation in ecological theory according to the course sylabus. Main study materials are the presentations of the lectures and compulsory study literature, the exam is written with facultative oral examination in case of "tied score".
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Recommended literature
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Begon, M., Harper, J., Townsend, C.R. (1997). Ekologie: jedinci, populace a společenstva. Olomouc: Vydavatelství Univerzity Palackého.
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Laštůvka, Z., Krejčová, P. Základy ekologie,BRNO, 2000,184 s..
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Storch, D., Mihulka, S. Úvod do současné ekologie.
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Townsend, C.R. et al. (2010). Základy ekologie. Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, Olomouc.
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