4502 Alpine biodiversity and management

Prerequisites

Basic biology.

Course Objectives

The aim of this course is to give the students an increased knowledge about the variation in biological diversity of alpine ecosystems in Scandinavia, and how these should be managed. Recent challengens for maintaining alpine biodiversity will also be emphasized. The taxonomy of selected alpine species and their distribution will be presented. Current management strategies of Scandinavian Alpine nature reserves and animal populations with examples on reindeer, carnivores, rodents and beaver will be given.

Learning Methods

Lectures, excursions, lab.courses, seminars with student presentations, mandatory reports and papers.
25 h lectures, 20 h lab. (species identification), 5 days excursions.
Teaching medium is English.

Course Description

The following topics will be covered:

• Taxonomy and identification of alpine vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens
• Distribution patterns of alpine plants and vegetation types
• Gradients in alpine plant diversity
• Rare and threatened species and nature types
• Population studies and management of common alpine animals
• Population studies and management of fish in alpine areas
• Diversity, distribution and management of animal and fish populations
• Alpine nature reserves and their management
• Threatened vegetation types, nature types and ecosystems and their management

Assessment Methods

Group project (report), 25%; individual, written 4-hour final examination 75%.

Pensum