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HU Credits:
5
Degree/Cycle:
1st degree (Bachelor)
Responsible Department:
Life Sciences
Semester:
2nd Semester
Teaching Languages:
Hebrew
Campus:
E. Safra
Course/Module Coordinator:
Dr. Michael Kalyuzhny
Coordinator Office Hours:
By appointment, Berman 212
Teaching Staff:
Dr. Michael Kalyuzhny,
Dr. Eyal Ben-hur,
Mr. Nir Band,
Ms. Noa Lavie
Course/Module description:
The course focuses on central questions in ecology at the level of the population and the community, and demonstrates a field study of these questions. Along with learning and practicing theoretical concepts, two field labs will be conducted, where students will plan and perform a mini field study and analyze it's results.
Course/Module aims:
Introduce the students to the principles of ecology at the population and community level, with emphasis on theoretical concepts and research approaches.
Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Explain the mechanisms that determine the size of natural populations and their changes
2 .Understand the mechanisms maintaining coexistence and determining species diversity in various ecosystems.
3. Quantitatively describe the structure and dynamics of populations and communities.
4. Plan and conduct a basic field study
5. Perform a basic analysis of multidimensional and complex data.
Attendance requirements(%):
Field labs and presentations of field lab results are obligatory
Teaching arrangement and method of instruction:
Lectures, exercises, computer labs, and field labs
Course/Module Content:
Population ecology:
Ecological niches and how they are related with spatial distribution;
Demography, density-dependent regulation and random fluctuations as factors determining population size.
Community ecology:
The four basic forces acting in ecological communities
The effect of area, heterogeneity, productivity and disturbance on species diversity;
Coexistence theory;
The influence of history on ecological communities;
Alternative stable-states and catastrophes;
The effect of species diversity on ecosystem functioning;
Null models
Field lab:
Understanding the principles of a research plan, from a research question to predictions.
Learn how to plan and conduct field research.
Organize, analyze, and publish data at the population and community level.
In all topics we will emphasize a variety of research topics (theoretical, observational, experimental) as well as the relevance to nature conservation and management.
Required Reading:
To be determined in class
Additional Reading Material:
To be determined in class
Grading Scheme :
Written / Oral / Practical Exam 40 %
Essay / Project / Final Assignment / Home Exam / Referat 40 %
Submission assignments during the semester: Exercises / Essays / Audits / Reports / Forum / Simulation / others 20 %
Additional information:
None
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