Natural Forest Ecology 1400-216PELN-en

Course Objectives: Students will gain an understanding of key ecological concepts associated with forest ecosystems and will:
- develop and practice 'ecological thinking' about subjects like ‘natural disturbances’, ‘insect outbreak’, ‘salvage logging’ combined with the analysis of how they might affect the question/problem under investigation;
- understand how ecological principles operate in forest ecosystems across different temporal and spatial scales;
- learn how to use basic research equipment and carry out qualitative and quantitative field measurements;
- develop an ecological question to investigate with a field study - design and carry out data collection, analyse the data and present the analysis and conclusions;
- make scientific arguments supported by data, logic and credible sources of information;
Course Objectives: Students will gain an understanding of key ecological concepts associated with forest ecosystems and will:
- develop and practice 'ecological thinking' about subjects like ‘natural disturbances’, ‘insect outbreak’, ‘salvage logging’ combined with the analysis of how they might affect the question/problem under investigation;
- understand how ecological principles operate in forest ecosystems across different temporal and spatial scales;
- learn how to use basic research equipment and carry out qualitative and quantitative field measurements;
- develop an ecological question to investigate with a field study - design and carry out data collection, analyse the data and present the analysis and conclusions;
- make scientific arguments supported by data, logic and credible sources of information;
- improve communication skills.
Lectures will be carried at the Faculty of Biology with involvement of students in discussing the chosen topics.
The field course will be carried in Białowieża Forest/Eastern Poland, where students will be active participants in making observations and taking measurements. Field trips will proceed even under inclement weather conditions unless dangerous. During outdoor
labs students need to wear appropriate field clothing. All field labs are mandatory. Students are expected to organize travel to Białowieża Geobotanical Station on their own. The labs will be supervised by a combination of the lecturer/instructor and/or the teachings assistants. Students will also work independently in groups to collect observations and data. Reading the materials of the lab before the lab is essential to the students having a successful lab experience.
Things to bring in the field:
1) Proper footwear, clothes and raingear. Wear long pants and closed-toed shoes or boots.
2) Insect and tick repellent. Always thoroughly check your whole body for ticks upon return from the field. It is also recommended to take the anti-tick-borne encephalitis vaccination at least three months before visiting forest.
3) If you are allergic to insect bites, or if you have other medical conditions for which emergency treatment may be required, it is your responsibility to inform the instructors before the course starts, about: (1) your specific condition, (2) where you keep your medicine, and (3) how to administer emergency treatment should the situation arise. Please let us help you be safe.
4) The Białowieża Forest lies in the direct border zone – you will need to carry your ID all the time.
5) Please contact the coordinator of the course about any other issues or concerns you have about field lab.

- improve communication skills.