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Lecturer(s)
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Václavík Tomáš, doc. RNDr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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In the globalized world today, we are experiencing degradation of natural environment at the global scale. Transformation of natural ecosystems, deforestation and urban expansion cause massive loss and fragmentation of habitats that can support biodiversity. To understand how habitat fragmentation influences the survival and distribution of species, populations and communities, we need to examine the changes in the landscape structure and the ways these changes affect organisms. What is the role of habitat structure and patch size in the survival of endangered species populations? How does landscape pattern affects the spread of invasive organisms and diseases? What is the impact of road infrastructure on migrating animals? These are some of the research questions of Landscape Ecology. Landscape Ecology studies the relationships and interactions between landscape patterns and ecological processes. It examines the causes and consequences of landscape heterogeneity at larger scales than what is common for other ecological disciplines. Lecture topics: 1. Landscape ecology as a scientific discipline - definition and principles, history, main focus, relationship to other disciplines 2. Landscape and its dimensions - landscape heterogeneity, concept of scale, hierarchy of landscape components 3. Causes of landscape pattern - abiotic factor, biotic factors, anthropogenic changes (land use/land cover change) 4. Data and technologies in landscape ecology (GIS and remote sensing) 5. Quantification of landscape pattern - landscape models, patch-corridor-matrix concept, landscape metrics 6. Landscape dynamics - disturbances and disturbance regimes, landscape stability, pattern-process relationship, landscape fragmentation 7. Organisms in landscapes - effects of landscape structure on organisms, island biogeography, metapopulation theory, landscape connectivity, habitat suitability models, species distribution models 8. Landscape ecology in practice - general principles of landscape protection, landscape protection in Czech and European nature conservation practice (protected areas, NATURA 2000, systems of ecological stability), landscape character and its evaluation, landscape planning 9. Ecosystem services - basic concept, assessment methods, ES indicators, scenario analysis Laboratory exercises: - Quantification of landscape pattern, understanding landscape metrics - Habitat suitability modeling and identification of migration corridors
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook), Projection (static, dynamic), Laboratory Work
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Learning outcomes
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The aim of the course is to provide students with theoretical background and methods of modern Landscape Ecology and its application in nature conservation and environmnetal protection.
Knowledge Define landscape and landscape ecology. Describe main principles of landscape structure, functioning and landscape changes. Understand the basic applications of landscape ecology.
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Prerequisites
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unspecified
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Mark, Written exam
The course concludes with a written test but the final grade is also evaluated based on the participation in discussions and the performance in course assignments and laboratory exercises.
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Recommended literature
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Collinge, S.K. (2009). Ecology of Fragmented Landscapes. J. Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
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Farina, A. (2000). Principles and Methods in Landscape Ecology. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
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Forman, R. T. T., Godron, M. (1993). Krajinná ekologie. Praha: Academia.
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Forman, R.T.T. & Wilson, E.O. Land Mosaics: The Ecology of Landscapes and Regions..
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Franklin J. Mapping Species Distributions: Spatial Inference and Prediction..
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Gergel, S.E. & Turner, M.G. Learning Landscape Ecology. Springer, 2001..
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Kovář, P. (2012). Ekosystémová a krajinná ekologie. Karolinum, Praha.
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Lindenmayer, D. & Fischer. J. Habitat Fragmentation and Landscape Change: An Ecological and Conservation Synthesis..
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Měkotová, J. (2007). Principy v obecné a aplikované krajinné ekologii. Vydavatelství UP Olomouc. Olomouc.
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Miklós, L., Izakovičová, Z. (1997). Krajina ako geosystém.. Veda, Bratislava.
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Turner, M.G., R. H. Gardner & R. V. O'Neill, R.V. Landscape Ecology in Theory and Practice: Pattern and process. Springer-Verlag, 2001..
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Wiens, J. Foundation Papers in Landscape Ecology..
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Zonneveld, I.S. (1995). Land Ecology.. SPB Academic Publishing, Amsterdam.
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