Course: Ecology of Mammals

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Course title Ecology of Mammals
Course code KZO/366
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Frequency of the course In academic years starting with an even year (e.g. 2016/2017), in the winter semester.
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Šumbera Radim, prof. Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Šálek Martin, doc. Ing. Ph.D.
  • Lövy Matěj, RNDr. Ph.D.
Course content
Content of lectures: 1. Growth and regulation of mammalian populations, life history, age structures, life tables, senescence, dispersal 2. Population cycles of mammals, hypothesis, geographic variability, collapsing population cycles 3. Ecophysiology of mammals I: Adaptation to cold and hot environments 4. Ecophysiology of mammals II: Heterothermy, aestivation, lethargy, hibernation 5. Mammals in extreme environments I: Subterranean mammals, morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptations, their ecosystem roles 6. Mammals in extreme environments II: Aquatic mammals, morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptations, their ecosystem roles 7. Mammals in extreme environments III: Flying mammals, morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptations, their roles in ecosystems 8. Zoogeography of mammals, historical biogeography, colonisation abilities of different mammalian taxa 9. Metapopulations, makroecology, island biogeography, landscape ecology, fragmentation of habitats, urban mammals, edge effect 10. Global diversity of mammals, hotspots 11. Conservation of mammals in world

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Individual preparation for exam
  • Preparation for exam - 50 hours per semester
  • Class attendance - 26 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
Studying relationships between mammals and their biotic and abiotic environments, adaptations to particular environments, global diversity, conservation topics
The graduate should be able to orient themself in the complex issue of mammalian adaptations to different environments, their biogeography and conservation and to apply the gained knowledge, concepts and methodology of this discipline in their own research and future professional career.
Prerequisites
no requirements

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance assessment

Assessing 50% in a written exam
Recommended literature
  • Schmidt-Nielsen K.: Animal Physiology: Mechanisms and Adaptations. CUP, Cambridge, 1997, 607 pp. .
  • Stenseth N. C., Lidicker W. Z.: Animal Dispersal: Small Mammals as a Model. Chapman&Hall, Dordrecht, 1991, 384 pp. .
  • Vlasák P.: Ekologie savců. Academia, Praha, 1986, 291 pp..


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Zoology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Winter
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Zoology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Winter
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Zoology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Winter