Conducted in terms: 2023L, 2024L

ECTS credits: 8

Language: English

Organized by: Faculty of Biology

Polish-Swiss Summer School "Biodiversity Monitoring" 1400-SZL-MRB

The course is designated to students planning to carry out future
field work related to nature conservation (e.g. nature
monitoring), those planning scientific research on biodiversity,
as well as future employees of institutions and offices working
for nature and environmental protection.
The Summer School is an intensive field course. Over the
course of 12 days, students are introduced to the methodology
of monitoring the diversity of plants, insects and small mammals
and then, in small groups, carry out a research project under the
supervision of teachers who are specialists in the relevant
taxonomic group.

The course is held every year, alternately, in the "Parc Ela" protected area in Switzerland or in Bialowieza.

During the Summer School, the following topics are discussed in
the form of lectures:
1. ecology of locally ecosystems, with special attention to
non-forest ecosystems and problems related to
nature conservation in the region.
2. the basics of biodiversity monitoring - objectives, types,
proper planning, potential faults and limitations
3. methodology of vegetation monitoring
4 methodology of insect research and monitoring
5. methodology of small mammals research and monitoring
6. functional ecology of plants and methodology for measuring
selected functional traits
7. biodiversity data analysis - scheme for statistical method
selection and inference
8. workshop on the preparation of scientific publications
The classes are intended to provide graduates primarily with
knowledge on biodiversity monitoring, including planning a data
collection scheme taking into account the specifics of a given
taxonomic group, conducting such surveys and advanced species
determination. An important element of the Summer School is
also the statistical analysis of the collected material and making
inferences based on the results obtained. Surveys are conducted
on permanent survey plots representing diverse ecological gradients. The aim of the analyses is to compare the
biodiversity of selected groups (vascular plants, insects of the
order Orthoptera, and small mammals) in the studied gradients. In
addition, thanks to the data collected during previous Summer
Schools, it is possible to analyse trends in this diversity and
observe changes resulting, e.g. from a warming climate or land use abandonment.
In addition to topics strictly related to monitoring, students have
the opportunity to learn about the functioning of local
ecosystems as well as the challenges and strategies related to their conservation.
In addition, they gain new skills and experience in identifying plant
and animal species as well as in developing and presenting
research results and writing scientific papers.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
The field activities are intensive and they are conducted in various weather conditions.

Term 2023L:

The field course will be held from August 16-27. Field classes take place near Bialowieza, while lectures, laboratory work and computer work take place at the UW's Bialowieza Geobotanical Station.
In 2022, during the first edition of the Polish-Swiss Summer School in Bialowieza, individual groups of students collected data on species diversity of selected taxonomic groups within different succession stages in grasslands and also at different stages of expansion of invasive goldenrod species. In the following years of the School, it is planned to continue monitoring in plots designated in 2022, as well as to carry out other small-scale research projects.
The more detailed description of the previous edition of the Polish-Swiss Summer School in Białowieża is available at the following link:
https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/29014

In the first part of the course, students are introduced to the monitoring methodology of each taxonomic group: vascular plants, insects and mammals. Then students work in small, international groups continuing to collect data on the diversity of one of these taxonomic groups. The last part of the class is devoted to performing static analyses of the collected data and preparing a short presentation of the results.
During the course of the class, the teachers also present a series of lectures on the functioning of ecosystems typical of the Bialowieza area, including the Bialowieza primeval forest, planning and conducting natural monitoring, statistical analysis of data, preparation of manuscripts of scientific papers
The class will also include a several-hour walk through the Bialowieza National Park.

After the field part, a research report in the form of a short scientific article is required (at a date to be agreed with the instructors, usually about 8 weeks after the end of the field activities).

Term 2024L:

The field course will take place from 19-29 August 2025, with field classes taking place in Preda, in the ‘Parc Ela’ national park in the Alps.

During the previous editions of the Polish-Swiss Summer School in Preda, individual groups of students collected data on species diversity of selected taxonomic groups within grasslands and meadows in an altitude gradient. In the following years of the School, it is planned to continue monitoring in plots designated in 2019, as well as to carry out other small-scale research projects.

A detailed description of one of the previous editions of the wPredzie Summer School is available at the following link:
https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/21917

A short interview with participants of one of the editions is also available at the following link:
https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/28961

In the first part of the course, students are introduced to the monitoring methodology of each taxonomic group: vascular plants, insects and mammals. Students then work in small, international groups continuing to collect data on the diversity of one of these taxonomic groups. The last part of the class is devoted to performing static analyses of the collected data and preparing a short presentation of the results.

During the course of the class, the instructors also present a series of lectures on the functioning of alpine ecosystems, planning and conducting natural monitoring, statistical analysis of data, preparation of manuscripts of scientific papers.

After the field part of the course, a research report in the form of a short scientific paper is required (at a date agreed with the instructors, usually about 8 weeks after the end of the fieldwork).

Requirements

Flora and Fauna
Statistics

Prerequisites (description)

A passing grade in Fauna and Flora (or a course with similar topics) and Statistics I and Statistics II/Elements of Statistical Data Analysis (or equivalent courses where R software is used) are required to participate in the course. At least a good command of spoken and written English is also required. The student should have basic skills in the use of keys to plant and animal species determination, as well as knowledge about the most important methods of statistical data analysis and at least basic skills in conducting such analyses in the R environment.

Course coordinators

Iwona Dembicz

Main fields of studies for MISMaP

Term 2023L:

spatial development
biology
geography
environmental protection

General:

environmental protection
geography
biology
spatial development

Term 2024L:

biology
spatial development
environmental protection
geography

Type of course

supplementary

Mode

Classroom and field classes

Learning outcomes

KNOWLEDGE

Graduates:
- understands complex ecological phenomena and processes
(K_W01)
- knows factors influencing the state of nature and environment
(K_W02)
- knows modern techniques used in assessment and methods of
nature and environment protection (K_W03)
- knows the principles of research planning and modern
techniques of data collection (K_W06)
- has knowledge of statistical inference, knows and understands
the principles of the methodology of biological sciences (K_W07)

SKILLS

Graduate:
- Applies advanced statistical methods and tools to analyse
empirical data and describe natural processes (K_U01)
- Predicts the direction of changes in the natural environment
under the influence of various factors (K_U02)
- Demonstrates the ability to use modern language (English) at
B2+ level to a degree enabling the use of scientific literature and
communication with foreigners (K_U03)
- Is able to plan and define a research objective and to plan and
carry out its implementation (K_U05)
- Is able to collect and interpret empirical data (K_U10)
- The student demonstrates the ability to write a short scientific
report based on his/her own research in accordance with correct
methodology in Polish and modern (English) language at B2+
level (K_U11)
- Has language skills in the field of natural sciences (K_U14)
- Has the ability to propose an appropriate monitoring method for
species and habitats (K_U16)

SOCIAL COMPETENCES

Graduate:

- Correctly identifies and solves problems arising from the
profession (K_K01)
- Demonstrates the need for continuous updating and deepening
of knowledge in the field studied (K_K02)
- Demonstrates responsibility for risks arising from applied
research techniques (K_K08)

Assessment criteria

Activity during the fieldwork and a written report on the research (conducted during the fieldwork part of the course) in the form of a manuscript of a scientific article.
Evaluation on the basis of the final report.
IMPORTANT NOTE: preparation of the final report takes place after the field classes. There is a time of about two months to prepare and send the report to the teachers (the exact deadline is set during the field classes).

Bibliography

Bazyluk W. 1956. Prostoskrzydłe – Orthoptera (Saltatoria).

Warszawa: PWN
Bazyluk W., Liana A. 2000. Prostoskrzydłe = Orthoptera. Katalog
Fauny Polski. Warszawa: Polska Akademia Nauk. Muzeum i
Instytut Zoologii.
Bellmann H. 2009. Szarańczaki : łatwe oznaczanie gatunków
Europy Środkowej. Warszawa: Multico.
Brink, F. H. van den 1973. A field guide to the mammals of Britain
and Europe. London, Collins.
Eggenberg S., Möhl A. Haupt; Bern: 2009. Flora Vegetativa: Ein
Bestimmungsbuch für Pflanzen der Schweiz im blütenlosen
Zustand. [Atlas z opisami w jęz. niemieckim].
Hensel W. 2001 Rośliny Alp : rozpoznać – podziwiać – chronić.
Warszawa: Klub dla Ciebie.
Lippert W. 1995. Rośliny alpejskie. Warszawa: Muza
Migała, K. 2005. Piętra klimatyczne w górach Europy a problem
zmian globalnych. Acta Universitatis Wratislaviensis. Studia
Geograficzne 78. Wrocław: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu
Wrocławskiego.
Moraczewski I., Sudnik-Wójcikowska B., Dubielecka B.,
Rutkowski R., Nowak K., Borkowski W., Galera H. 2004.
Flora ojczysta. System identyfikacji roślin i atlas [CD-ROM].
Wyd. Cortex Nova, Bydgoszcz.
Odum E. 1977. Podstawy ekologii, PWRiL
Piękoś-Mirkowa H., Mirek Z. 2007. Flora Polski. Rośliny górskie.
Multico, Oficyna Wydawnicza, Warszawa.
Rothmaler W. 2017. Exkursionsflora von Deutschland :
Gefäßpflanzen : Atlasband / begründet von Werner
Rothmaler ; herausgegeben von Eckehart J. Jäger, Frank
Müller, Christiane M. Ritz, Erik Welk, Karsten Wesche in
Zusammenarbeit mit zahlreichen Fachleuten. 13 Auflage.
Berlin : Springer Spektrum.
Szafer W., Kulczyński S., Pawłowski B. 1976. Rośliny polskie.
PWN, Warszawa.

Weiner J. 2003. Życie i ewolucja biosfery, Warszawa:
Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN
Weiner J. 2018. Technika pisania i prezentowania przyrodniczych
prac naukowych. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.

Term 2023L:

Reader from the Polish-Swiss Summer School 2022: https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/29014

Term 2024L:

Reader from the Polish-Swiss Summer School 2020: https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/21917

Reader from the Polish-Swiss Summer School 2023:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382659363_Report_from_the_5th_Master_Summer_School_Biodiversity_Monitoring_Preda_Switzerland_14-25_August_2023

Notes

Term 2023L:

REGISTRATION:
Email applications by February 18, 2024 to the coordinator: iwona.dembicz@uw.edu.pl. Please title the email "Summer School 2024 application". In addition to meeting the above criteria, the Summer School application should also include a short (about 200 words) cover letter and information about your grade point average.
If there are more applicants for the Summer School than the number of available seats, short interviews will be conducted.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Participation in the course may be paid. The final decision on this matter will be known in January 2024. The cost of food and accommodation during the course is likely to be about 450-500 PLN, but it may change depending on the price list of the Station's accommodation or food prices. If participation fees are required, students of the Faculty of Biology can apply for funding covering accommodation and travel costs (train and/or bus tickets). MSOŚ and MISMaP students cannot apply for funding from the Faculty of Biology, but can inquire about the possibility of funding in their units.

Term 2024L:

REGISTRATIONS:
Email applications by 28 February 2025 to the coordinator: iwona.dembicz@uw.edu.pl. Please title the email ‘Summer School 2025 application’. In addition to meeting the above criteria, the application form should also include a short (approx. 200 words) letter of motivation in English and information about your grade point average.

Should the number of applicants for the Summer School exceed the number of available places, short interviews will be held.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Participation in the course is payable. The cost for food and accommodation during the course is approximately CHF 300 (this cost does not include transport, which is to be arranged by each participant.) More precise information on costs will be provided in January 2025. Students from the Faculty of Biology can apply for a contribution towards the cost of attending the course and travel. MSc and MISMaP students can participate in the Summer School but cannot apply for funding from the Faculty of Biology (they should inquire in their units about the possibility of funding).

The field classes are very intensive. The monitoring of selected taxonomic groups is carried out in the mountains, in an altitude gradient reaching about 900 m. Reaching individual sites requires adequate physical fitness and preparation (clothing, equipment, etc.) for hours of hiking over rocky terrain in various weather conditions.

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 1400-SZL-MRB in USOSweb