Plants and Ecosystems

Autotrophic organisms, and especially plants, have a central role in their terrestrial ecosystems because they are producers of food for all terrestrial herbivores as well as for soil organisms and several organisms internal to them like e.g. endophytes and N-fixating bacteria. Also, plants are important to ecosystems for both creating and modifying habitat conditions. This course will give theoretical and empirical insight to the central role of autotrophs in ecosystems, and how ecosystem management and climate change may modify this role. Most examples will be from northern ecosystems. The course is relevant to those who want more general ecological knowledge and for those who want knowledge about the use and the management of natural resources.

Recommended prerequisites: Bio-1005 Ecology and Evolution and Bio-2003 From individuals to ecosystems

Students that have completed Bio-2006 Plants and Ecosystems:

• Reads and understands scientific literature in the format of scientific papers
• Have knowledge of different types of scientific papers, i.e. review papers, meta-analysis papers, empirical papers and theoretical papers
• Have improved their ability to discuss and give both oral and written presentations of scientific topics
• Are able to complete a small scientific project, including data sampling, data analysis and discussion in presented in the format of a scientific paper
• Can explain various ways by which plants play active roles in ecosystems
• Can explain ways by which plant role of ecosystems may change
• Can explain how knowledge on plant role of ecosystems is essential to land use management

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

• NAB-2005 Introduction to arctic agriculture and reindeer husbandry 7 stp
• NAB-2005 Nothern natural resource use 10 stp
• NAB-2005 Plants and the Ecosystem 10 stp

Teaching will be based on a 4-day field course, lectures (24 hours), colloquiums (12 hours) and thematic journals (3). Students will write a project report based on data gathered under the field course.

Language of instruction and examination

The language of instruction is English and all of the syllabus material is in English. Examination questions will be given in English, but may be answered either in English or a Scandinavian language. When only Scandinavian students attend, language of instruction is Scandinavian.