Content (Syllabus outline)
Aquatic ecosystems: abiotic properties of running and stagnant waters), biotic properties (planktonic and benthic communities and their production in running and stagnant waters), aerobic and anaerobic decomposition processes in sediment and water.
Ecology of wetlands: properties of different wetlands and their services (wet meadows, riparian wetlands, raised and transitional bogs, fens, intermittent systems, ecosystems of special importance -Lake Cerknica), present state of wetlands and their conservation (in Slovenia, worldwide, Ramsar convention). Extreme ecosystems – mofettes (natural CO2 springs).
Terrestrial ecosystems: alpine and mediteranean ecosystems, terrestrial ecosystems of Europe and Slovenia (development, condition and vulnerability), primary and secondary production of forests, biogenic cycling of matter in terrestrial ecosystems, present state and the role of animal populations in forest ecosystems of S Slovenia.
Special issues: antropogenic ecosystems, global changes and ecosystems (ecosystems as indicators of changes, influences of increased CO2 concentrations and UV-B radiation), ecosystem services – renewable resources and processes in ecosystems as a basis for ecosystem management, economical aspects of nature (valuation of ecosystems).
Practical trainning of selected methods and measurements in different ecosystems (lake, wetland, forest).
Prerequisites
Prerequisites for inclusion in the work: enrolment in the appropriate academic year.
Prerequisites for performing study obligations: practical examination (colloquium): presence at field work and approved reports.