BI434 Vegetation Ecology

Contents and structure

The course gives a general introduction in relevant theory and methods, e.g. for collecting data, gradient analysis and correlation analyses. This enables the candidates to communicate and understand the distribution of vegetation, regionally and locally. Special emphasis is put on the most important gradients for explaining vegetation variation in different ecosystems in Norway. The course is based on knowledge of the Norwegian flora and important natural cycles, and provides a basis for knowledge-based management of Norwegian nature.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

• The student has insight in the basic requirements of plants.
• The student knows common methods for surveying and analysing vegetation ecological data.
• The student knows which factors that give rise to the regional variation in vegetation in Norway.
• The student knows which factors that give rise to the local variation in vegetation in selected Norwegian ecosystems.
• The student has insight in the EcoSyst framework (Nature in Norway/NiN - newest version).

Skills

• The student masters relevant data analysis tools; e.g., the statistical program R.
• The student can write a good and easy-to-read text about natural variation and vegetation in Norway

General competence

• The student has insight in relevant vegetation ecological topics
• The student is able to plan and carry out simple vegetation ecological investigations
• The student can convey key vegetation ecology subject matter, both orally and in writing

Entry requirements

None

Recommended previous knowledge

BI-424 Botany and BI445 General ecology. Basic knowledge in statistics is recommended.

Teaching methods

Lectures, data analysis seminar, oral presentation and discussion, student peer review, and organised and own field excursions

Compulsory learning activities

Participation in all excursions (five days)

Three mandatory requirements

• Written presentation of oneself in PowerPoint (work requirement 1)
• Written assignment (2000 words) based on own fieldwork and own analyses (work requirement 2)
• Presentation of scientific work including prior guidance (work requirement 3)

Assessment

Written examination under supervision, 4 hours.

Grading: A-F.

Examination support material

None

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