Course content

The course presents modern population ecology as an interesting an dynamic field. Central in the course is to give an understanding of the abiotic and biotic ecological mechanisms that determine the distribution and abundances of populations in nature. The course introduces central theories within population ecology which include the importance of competition, predation, herbivory, dispersal, diseases and harvesting strategies for fluctuations in population sizes. There will also be an introduction, including practical exercises, in how to estimate important population parameters related to demographic patterns and growth of populations.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:
The student will
Have knowledge and understanding of theories about biotic and abiotic factors that influence the distribution and abundance of individuals in wild popuations.
Understand the significance of competition, predation, herbivory, dispersal, diseases and harvesting strategies for changes and fluctuations in population sizes
Have knowledge and understanding of methods that are allpied to estimate impotyant population parameters related to demograpgy and population growth.

Skills
The studen can:
Explain and reflect about central ecological theories and ecological mechanisms which influence the distribution and abundance of individual in populations
Apply different mathematical models that describe demographic properties in populations and estimate essential population parameters.

General competence
The student have
The ability to disseminate knowledge about central theories and reflect independently around important ecological mechanisms that influence changes and fluctuations in population sizes

Learning methods and activities

The course includes lectures, exercises and a semester project

Lectures: 30 hours
Seminar/groupwork: 10 hours
Exercises: 32

Compulsory assignments
Approved semester project, oral presentation

Compulsory assignments

• Approved participation in seminars

Recommended previous knowledge

The course builds on BI 1003. In addition, the teaching builds on a basic knowledge of plant and animal taxonomy.

Credit reductions