Course: Geobotany

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Course title Geobotany
Course code KBO/126
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Lesson
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Frequency of the course In each academic year, in the summer semester.
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 6
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)
  • Prach Karel, prof. RNDr. CSc.
  • Müllerová Anna, Mgr.
  • Řehounková Klára, RNDr. Ph.D.
Course content
Content of lectures: Definition of geobotany as subject field, history and contemporary, gradient character of vegetation (examples),. Units of vegetation and principles of specification, natural and secondary boundaries, ecotons, patches, gaps, natural forest communities (broad-leaf tree forest). Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of vegetation I: vertical nad horizontal structure, genesis, clone properties, natural forest communities (coniferous forests).Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of vegetation II: abundance, dominance, density, frequence etc. Biomass, communities of water reservoirs (bare bottoms including), halophytic communities. Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of vegetation III.: occasionality to work with primary dates, Hygrophilous communities. Interaction between vegetation and environmental factors I: (clime, relief, substrate) mezic and xerothemic grass. Interaction between vegetation and environmental factors II: (nutrients, water, fair, light, biotic factors) , communities of sandy soil and acidic stands. Changes in communities in time: I: succession, natural communities, Interaction between vegetation and environmental factors III: long-term trends and secular succession (development of plants in Holocene), ruderal vegetation. Impact of human being on vegetation, applications, ruderal vegetation and weeds communities Content of practices: Excursion (4 days in May): 1. location: Český kras, Polabí, Kokořínsko, České středohoří, Mostecko, Krušné hory, Slavkovský (Císařský) forest, Šumava, Pošumaví2. location: serpentine steppe at Mohelna, steppe at Mor. Krumlova, Mor. kras, Litovelské Pomoraví, Jeseníky, Českomoravská vysočina (meadows at Kameniček, peat bog Dářko) with occassional changes.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Dialogic (discussion, interview, brainstorming), Monitoring, Individual preparation for exam, Excursion
  • Field trip - 60 hours per semester
  • Preparation for exam - 40 hours per semester
  • Semestral paper - 10 hours per semester
  • Class attendance - 24 hours per semester
  • Preparation for classes - 30 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
This course informs students about structure of vegetation in Central Europe, about environmental interactions including antropogenic impact, about development in Holocene and succession changes
Students get good knowledge on vegetation of central Europe
Prerequisites
Any previous basic course on Botany is expected.

Assessment methods and criteria
Combined exam, Analysis of the qualification work, Seminar work

Students must present a talk concerning a selected locality, to work wit literature and synthetize relevant information related to the locality. They must attend a four-days excursion before the exam.
Recommended literature
  • Chytrý M. 2009-2014. Vegetace ČR. Academia, Praha..
  • Kent M. and Coker P. (1992): Vegetation description and analysis. - Belhaven Press, London.
  • Mueller-Dombois D. and Ellenberg H. (1974): Aims and methods of vegetation ecology. - J. Wiley, Chichester.
  • Prach K. (2001): Úvod do vegetační ekologie. 2. vydání. – Jihočeská universita, Č. Budějovice (scriptum ke kursu).


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): Ecosystem Biology (1) Category: Ecology and environmental protection - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Ecosystem Biology (1) Category: Ecology and environmental protection - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Secondary Schools Teacher Training in Biology (1) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Botany (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Biology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Biology for future teachers (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Ecosystem Biology (1) Category: Ecology and environmental protection - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Botany (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Ecosystem Biology (1) Category: Ecology and environmental protection - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Secondary Schools Teacher Training in Biology (1) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Zoology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Botany (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer