Biosystematics and biodiversity in space and time

The course aims to be a meeting-point for biosystematics, ecology, evolution, geology and geography. The course gives a broad introduction to fundamental processes shaping the Earth's biodiversity in space and time, and how these processes contribute to the problems and solutions of the contemporary biodiversity challenges of the anthropocene. The course introduces state-of-the-art methods, data types and tools in observing, systematizing, understanding, and mapping biodiversity such as environmental DNA (eDNA) and metabarcoding, phylogenetic analyses, use of geographical information systems (GIS) in a biodiversity context and national and global species databases. Theory and applications are exemplified through case studies at various taxonomic levels (species, genera, families, etc.) and time scales (e.g. decades, millenia, geological epochs). Practical exercises will provide an insight into analytical tools and methods.

Knowledge. After completion of the course, the candidate should have:

• Understanding of the connection between Earth's development, biological evolution, biotic distributions, and biodiversity
• Insight into central methods and tools of biosystematics and biodiversity mapping and understand key terms used in this type of analysis

Skills. After completion of the course, the candidate should understand, interpret and evaluate results from various tools and methods for biosystematic analysis and biodiversity mapping

General competence. After completion of the course, the candidate should understand the fundamental processes shaping the Earth's biodiversity in space and time, as well as how these contribute to finding solutions to contemporary challenges facing biodiversity in the Anthropocene.

Lectures (34 hours) and practicals (8 hours) are held throughout the semester. It is expected that the students contribute actively in the lectures. Written reports (4 in total) from all practicals are mandatory.