Course for international guest/part time students
- Faculty
- Faculty of Science
- Organization
- TTK Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology
- Code
- okologsb22em
- Title
- Ecology L
- Usual semester
- Spring
- Published semester
- 2025/26/2
- ECTS
- 3
- Language
- en
- Learning outcomes
- Competencies: Knowledge: Has a basic knowledge of the main topics, concepts and terminology of ecology. Familiar with the main methods of research, and most important results. Understands the fundamental mechanisms in ecosystems. Knows about the most important anthropogenic effects that threaten ecosystems, and understands the main ecological problems of our age. Ability: Able to link and integrate ecology with other branches of natural sciences. Able to use the basic concepts and terminology of ecology, and able to think creatively. Able to apply his/her knowledge for understanding ecological phenomena observed in nature. Able to express his/her opinion about ecological issues professionally. Attitude: Open to learn more about ecology and related results in natural sciences. Committed to use his/her knowledge for better understanding ecological systems, and open to adopt an integrative view. Committed to improve continuously his/her biological knowledge. Committed to the conservation of wildlife on the Earth. Autonomy and Responsibility: Able to independently analyse and evaluate fundamental professional issues. Responsible for forming scientifically sound opinion concerning ecological problems, research methods and bioethical questions. Feels responsible for acquiring scientifically based knowledge, and for high standards in his/her own research.
- Course content
- The objective of the course is obtaining an advanced-level knowledge of the most important topics in ecology. Main topics of the course: Biodiversity. How many species do live on Earth? Geographic trends in species richness. Evaluation of the decline of species richness. Species composition of the communities (texture, co-texture). Methods for and examples on measuring biodiversity. Spatial patterns in the communities (zones, patches, layers). Pattern-generating mechanisms. Basics of pattern analysis (introducing Pál-Juhász Nagy's model family). Temporal patterns. Types and driving forces of ecological succession. Disturbances and degradation. Stability of the communities. Fine-scale processes: the origin and significance of patch mosaics in the maintenance of biodiversity. Relationships between the community and its environment (incl. niche construction). Invasions. Effects of climate change upon the communities (tipping points, regime shifts). Metapopulations and metacommunities. Extinction debt. Ecological networks. Predictability and controllability of ecological systems.
- Assessment method
- k5 = exam mark (5) (1 failed, 5 excellent) Evaluation is based on the students’ individual performance. The students prepare for the exam from the class material and the given textbook chapters. The written exam is a questionnaire.
- Bibliography
- Lecture handouts (pdf) Pásztor E., Oborny B. 2007: Ecology. Nemzeti Tankönyvkiadó, Budapest. (selected chapters)