The aim of the course is to introduce students with tools and knowledge necessary to perform ecological surveys, including experimental design, data collection, analysis, synthesis and scientific writing. Attention will be given to origin, development and up-to date scientific writing schemes, including available at WULS scientific papers databases. Students will be presented with methods of ecological inventory and evaluation at different scales – landscape, plant communities and single species, and also basic measurable features which are used in ecosystem performance studies. Data sampling and key ecological issues concerning local habitats will be explained and explained during field visits (riverine ecosystems, forests), where during practical exercises students will prepare their own ecological study, collect data and perform basic analyses. Basic GIS techniques applied in ecological studies are introduced. The final effect of the course would be preparing a draft of a scientific paper. The course will be useful for both bachelor and master students who are interested in ecological research and its application or to those needed to understand and interpret ecological studies. It also gives a good background to organize the writing of diploma thesis, presenting a wide range of sources of information, analyses tools and practical tips for proper scientific writing.
The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge and tools necessary to perform ecological surveys in ecosystems associated with the river valleys, with the special concern of rare and protected plant communities and the effects of urbanization on riverine ecosystems. Students should understand processes occurring due to human impact, be able to describe them and design methodologically correct scientific study aimed at assessment of human impact on the ecosystems.