Part I (winter) and Part II (summer semester)
This course exemplifies and transmits fundamental knowledge on diversity and abundance of life. It does so using birds, as the model, but the basic understanding and general methods are applicable to many other organisms. Students will learn theoretical background on avian ecology, gain practical experience how to asses avian diversity, distribution and abundance, understand threats to birds, and reflect which role conservation approaches play to secure avian populations in a world shaped by mankind. The course backbone is the annual cycle of birds, and ‘Part I’ takes place in the winter semester setting focus on autumn and winter survival of birds including migration, and ‘Part II’ takes place in the summer semester setting focus on spring and summer avian ecology, which includes topics like spring migration, reproduction and moult. Recent publications are used as basic course material and students select their own topics/publications for guided discussions and report writing. Students also produce their own species list, their own quick identification guide, and reflect on the annual cycle of a species they selected. The course contains a few lectures, laboratory and field courses, and the main conversation parts typically built of single-slide presentations followed by group discussion.