Population Ecology

The course presents modern population ecology as an interesting and 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 abiotic and biotic factors, competition, predation,dispersal, 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.

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 populations.
• Understand the significance of competition, predation, dispersal, stochasticy and harvesting strategies for changes and fluctuations in population sizes.
• Have knowledge and understanding of methods that are applied to estimate important population parameters related to demography and population growth.

Skills

The student 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 has:

• The ability to disseminate knowledge about central theories and reflect independently around important ecological mechanisms that influence changes and fluctuations in population sizes.

The course includes lectures, a semester project and exercises.

Lectures: 30 hours

Seminar/groupwork: 10 hours

The exercises are intended to review and reinforce the content of the lectures. Participation in the exercises is voluntary, but attending the exercises will be beneficial for most students.

Compulsory assignments

Seminars: Approved participation and oral presentation.

Exams outside the teaching semester (spring) may be given as an oral exam.