OEKB302310 Design and analysis of landscape ecology studies in nature conservation

Type
Lecture and exercise
Semester hours
2
Lecturer (assistant)
Speißer, Benedikt
Organisation
Botany
Offered in
Wintersemester 2026/27
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

preliminary version - will be updated

Effective nature-conservation measures require a solid knowledge base. To build this knowledge base, we need well designed studies, yielding data that can be analyzed using appropriate methods to obtain meaningful results. This course covers general concepts and methods regarding the design and analysis of ecological studies relevant for nature conservation.
Contents include:
-Fundamental basics of designing ecological studies (e.g. replication, randomization)
-Planning vegetation assessments (relevés), focusing on diversity indices (taxonomic, functional) and temporal dynamics
-Current and future habitat suitability under changing climatic conditions
-Methodological approaches to analyze ecological data in R
Previous knowledge expected

preliminary version - will be updated

Students should have basic knowledge in ecology and statistical analyses, preferably using R
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

preliminary version - will be updated

The students learn to independently design and analyze landscape ecological studies in the context of nature conservation. They can apply modern ecological methods including collection of field data, functional trait measurements, statistical analyses and ecological forecasting. The students thus acquire skills on how to assess population dynamics of species and biodiversity dynamics in a landscape. They can also evaluate how individual species and various facets of biodiversity are affected by global change factors such as climate change and biological invasions. They practice how to present and discuss the outcomes and predictions of landscape ecological studies and know how such findings may be applied in nature conservation.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.