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Lecturer(s)
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Blažek Petr, RNDr. Ph.D.
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Fibich Pavel, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Lepš Jan, prof. RNDr. CSc.
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Course content
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Content of lectures: Population definitions, descriptive characteristics, spatial pattern, differences between populations of plants and animals. Field methods of determination of population size and structure. Population ddynamics: Simple models and estimation of their parameters. Structured population, matrix models and their use, Integral projection models. Theories and pracitcal applications. Regulation of populations, density dependence, Population strategies (r-K continuum, Grime's C-S-R, Southwood) Interpopulation relationships: Competition, Mutualisms, exploatation (incl. Predation, herbivory, parasitism, mutualsitic relationships). Models and empirical studies. Content of practices: Practicals will accompany the lectures, and will be focused on analyses of data (estimation of parameters of various models), and on use of Population Ecology programs (Populus). There will be also part organized as a "journal club", where the students will present interesting new paper from the population ecology.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Demonstration, Skills training
- Class attendance
- 45 hours per semester
- Preparation for exam
- 35 hours per semester
- Preparation for classes
- 50 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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The course presents the basic principles governing the structure and dynamics of populations, mostly focused on populations of animals and plants, and the interactions among individual populations. These will be later used in the community Ecology course, where the interactions of populations are basis for understanding the community composition.
Students will acquire the basic knowledge needed to understand the processes at population level and inter-population relationships, including the ability to collect and analyze the data.
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Prerequisites
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Basic knowledge of Ecology (corresponding to the basic ecology course), and basics of mathematics (matrices, difference and differential equations).
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Combined exam, Seminar work
Regular attendance and work during the practicals, prezentation of selected topics.
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Recommended literature
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Caswell, H. (2001). Matrix population models. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd..
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Vandermeer, J. H., & Goldberg, D. E. (2013). Population ecology: first principles. Princeton University Press..
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Begon M., Townsend C.R., Harper J.L. Ecology, From Individuals to Ecosystems. Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2006.
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