Course for international guest/part time students

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Organization

TTK Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology

Code

ktudtajokob18gm

Title

Landscape Ecology

Usual semester

Autumn

Published semester

2026/27/1

ECTS

3

Language

en

Learning outcomes

Participation on the weekly courses is mandatory for the completing of the subject. The course assumes a basic level knowledge of ecology and geography. Its aim is to acquire theoretical foundations and introductory practical skills in the field of landscape ecology. Competencies: Knowledge: Aware of the main topics, concepts and terminology of landscape ecology. Familiar with the most important research methods in landscape ecology. Has learned the most frequently used methods in landscape ecology. Knows the methods of exact evaluation of landscape ecological data and the key statistical tests required. Ability: Able to plan and execute landscape ecological research. Able to use the basic concepts and terminology of landscape ecology. Able to apply his/her knowledge for understanding landscape ecological phenomena observed in nature. Able to document precisely landscape ecological investigations. Attitude: Open to learn more about landscape ecology and related areas in natural sciences. Committed to use his/her knowledge for better understanding of landscape patterns and spatial heterogeneity. Committed to objectively evaluating data obtained through empirical studies and drawing unbiased conclusions from them. Committed to the conservation of wildlife on the Earth. Autonomy and Responsibility: Able to independently conduct a landscape ecological study from problem identification to drawing conclusions. Responsible for forming scientifically sound opinion concerning landscape ecological problems and associated ethical questions. Feels responsible for acquiring scientifically based knowledge, and for high standards in his/her own research.

Course content

Participation on the weekly courses is mandatory for the completing of the subject. The course assumes a basic level knowledge of ecology and geography. Definition of landscape ecology, its place within ecology, its relationship with geography. The essence of the landscape ecological approach: the interaction of landscape patterns and the processes taking place in them. Brief history of landscape ecology; the different nature of the approaches of the European and North American landscape ecological schools. The equilibrium theory of island biogeography. Metapopulations. Definition of landscape, main methods for examining spatial heterogeneity. Standard metrics for examining landscape patterns: landscape composition and configuration. Patch-level and stand-level metrics. The concept of scale used in landscape ecology: extent and resolution. Difference from geographical scale. Spatial and temporal scale. Fine-grained and coarse-grained patterns. Scale dependence of landscape ecological phenomena. Context dependence in landscape ecology: spatial and temporal context. Models used in landscape ecology: patch-corridor-matrix model, continent-island model, multi patch pattern model. Introduction to the use of the Quantum GIS (QGIS) GIS software package. Presentation of a scientific paper on landscape ecology in the form of a student lecture.

Assessment method

practical mark (5) (1 failed, 5 excellent) Evaluation is based on the students’ individual performance. The students complete individual tasks during the semester (e.g. presenting a mini-lecture, basic QGIS routines). End-of-semester test.

Bibliography

Course handouts provided by the course instructors (pdf)

Recommended bibliography

Turner, M. G., Gardner, R. H. 2015: Landscape ecology in theory and practice: pattern and process. 2nd ed. Springer, New York. Wiens, J. A. 2002: Central concepts and issues of landscape ecology. In: Gutzwiller, K. J. (ed.) Applying landscape ecology in biological conservation. Springer, New York, NY. pp. 3-21.

Programmes of the course