Ecology of Terrestrial Vertebrate Communities

optional courses

Classroom and field classes

The aim of the course is to present an outline of current knowledge on the structure and functioning of terrestrial vertebrate communities. During the course students learn about basic ecological concepts (ecosystem, community, ecological niche), species diversity and interactions (predation, competition), food chains and trophic levels, functional roles and guilds, keystone and dominant species, dynamics of terrestrial vertebrate communities, effects of human impact on vertebrate communities. During the course students collect, elaborate, analyze and present data from the fieldwork conducted by themselves and related to the main topics of vertebrate community ecology. Students also participate in seminars devoted to the main topic of the course. The entire course lasts 15 days (6 days in Warsaw and 9 days in the field station in Urwitałt).

The aim of the course is to learn about terrestrial vertebrate communities in various ecosystems, analyze the structure and functioning of these communities, and understand the changes occurring in them caused by direct and indirect human activity.

The subject is implemented during a 6-day field course held in Warsaw and during a 9-day field course in Urwitałt field station in Mazurian Lakeland. Besides collecting data in the field, students participate in interactive seminar and lecture workshops, during which each student presents twice (once in Warsaw and once in Urwitałt) a scientific topic and moderates the discussion. Seminars provide students with the knowledge necessary to pass the course. Field course and seminars in Warsaw are held in April and May, whereas field course and seminars in Urwitałt begin in the half of June.

The course is intended for 12 students. During classes, students are divided into four groups of three people, in which they carry out research topics, elaborate collected data and prepare final presentations. However, due to rotation system all the students have an opportunity to participate in topics led by their colleagues.

Topics of seminars in Warsaw are focused on the vertebrate communities inhabiting various types of ecosystems (e.g. natural and managed forests, wetlands, urban, agricultural and rural etc.). The main topic of field research project held in Warsaw is description of bird breeding communities in various types of urban parks and forests. Students will collect data using bird voice recognition phone application and verify this method as a scientific tool.

Seminars in the field station in Urwitałt are devoted to various aspects of the ecology of vertebrate communities, and include such topics as: a) biotic and abiotic factors affecting population dynamics of terrestrial vertebrates, b) keystone species in vertebrate communities, c) invasive species that change and impact vertebrate communities, d) landscape of fear, e) the comeback of top predators and their impact on vertebrate communities, f) seasonal migrations of terrestrial vertebrates, g) effects of climate and land-use change on terrestrial vertebrate community diversity, h) human activities that modify vertebrate behaviour and communities, i) evolutionary adaptation of food hoarding in vertebrates, j) ecosystem engineers, k) active protection of endangered vertebrate species, l) development of scientific methods used in field studies of terrestrial vertebrates.

Topics of research projects in Urwitałt include: a) interspecific competition at various trophic levels – rodents, birds, raptors, carnivores – space and time segregation, b) nest predation – community of nest predators, influence of habitat and nest placement on nest survival, c) predation in vertebrate communities – food and habitat niches of predators, food niche overlap, d) community structure and densities of birds and mammals in various types of habitats. Research projects will be implemented using various methods, including live traps, camera traps, bird voice recognition phone applications, microscopes, etc.

Textbooks and scientific articles, e.g.:

Jędrzejewska B., Jędrzejewski W. 1998. Predation in Vertebrate Communities: The Białowieża Primeval Forest as a Case Study. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 1-450.

Krebs C.J., 1985. Ecology: The Experimental Analysis of Distribution and Abundance, Third Edition. Harper & Row, Publishers, New York, 1-800.

Lockwood J.L., Hoopes M.F., Marchetti M.P. 2013. Invasion Ecology, Second Edition. A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publications, 1-444.

Newbold T. 2018. Future effects of climate and land-use change on terrestrial vertebrate community diversity under different scenarios. Proc. R. Soc. B 285: 20180792.

Pucek Z. 1981. Keys to Vertebrates of Poland. Mammals. PWN-Polish Scientific Publishers, Warszawa, 1-356.

Knowledge

K_W09 Bl I, K_W10 Bl I, K_W02 Os I, K_W01 Os II

Has knowledge of terminology used in ecology. Understands ecological phenomena and processes occurring at the individual, population and ecosystem level

K_W13 Bl I, K_W06 Bl II

Understands conceptual categories of animal biology and environmental biology

K_W16 Bl I, K_W11 Bl II, K_W13 Bl II, K_W06 Os II

Knows methods used in field study of terrestrial vertebrates, knows the principles of research planning and modern data collection techniques

K_W04 Os I, K_W07 Os I, K_W10 Os II

Has knowledge of the most important issues related to the protection of endangered species of terrestrial vertebrates

K_W02 Os II

Knows the factors influencing communities and populations of terrestrial vertebrates

K_W07 Os II

Has knowledge in the field of statistical inference, knows and understands the principles of methodology in biological sciences

kills

K_U02 Bl I, K_U02 Bl II, K_U07 Os I

Uses methods and techniques used in field work in the natural environment

K_U04 Bl I

Is able to analyze the obtained results and discuss them based on the available literature

K_U07 Bl I

Is able to develop a selected biological problem under the supervision of a supervisor based on literature data and the results of his own research

K_U06 Bl I, K_U07 Bl II, K_U01 Os I

Is able to perform field observations and conduct field experiment using the known methods under the supervision of a research supervisor

K_U05 Os II, K_U10 Os II, K_U16 Os II

Is able to plan and define a research goal and collect and interpret empirical data

K_U08 Bl I, K_U09 Bl II

Is able to present the obtained results in the form of a multimedia presentation and presents critically research works in the field of ecology

K_U03 Bl I, K_U11 Bl II, K_U13 Os I, K_U15 Os II, K_U03 Bl II,

Reads with understanding scientific biological texts in English and communicates in English at B2 level and has the ability to prepare and deliver oral speeches in English

K_U09 Bl I, K_U02 Os I

Is able to use basic statistical methods to describe the results of his research

K_U10 Bl I

Learns independently the topics indicated by the tutor

K_U08 Bl II

Is able to critically develop a selected biological problem based on literature data and the results of his own research, formulating his own opinions and conclusions

K_U12 Bl II

Is able to work in a team, implementing advanced research projects in the field of ecology

K_U06 Os I

Analyzes the causes of threats to the terrestrial vertebrate biodiversity and is able to indicate the type of remedial actions

K_U11 Os I

Identifies representatives of the main systematic groups of terrestrial vertebrates, with particular emphasis on protected and endangered species

Competencies

K_K01 Bl I, K_K07 Bl II, K_K02 Os I, K_K03 Os II,

K_K04 Os II

Feels the need for constant education and updating knowledge, using scientific and popular science sources regarding zoology and ecology

K_K03 Bl I

Recognizes what are research ethics and reliability in conducting research and interpreting the obtained results

K_K07 Bl I, K_K04 Bl II, K_K05 Os I, K_K10 Os II

Is able to work in a team, carrying out his own research, co-organizing the work of the entire team

Presentations, written assignments and final exam (test)