CONTENTS
M - 1. Overview of the module ..................................................................................................................... 1
M - 2. Learning objectives ........................................................................................................................... 3
M - 3. Module content................................................................................................................................ 3
M - 4. Learning within the module ................................................................................................................. 4
M - 5. Semester programme ........................................................................................................................ 4
K - 1. Course 1: Vegetation analysis .............................................................................................................. 5
K - 1.1
Formal description
5
K - 1.2
Course objectives / Learning outcomes
5
K - 1.3
course contents
6
K - 1.4
Learning within the course
6
K - 1.5
Set books, recommended and further reading
8
K - 1.6
Assessment
10
K - 2. Course 2: Plant systematics .............................................................................................................. 12
K - 2.1
Formal description
12
K - 2.2
course objectives / Learning outcomes
12
K - 2.3
course contents
12
K - 2.4
Learning within the c ourse
14
K - 2.5
Set books, recommended and further reading
14
K - 2.6
Assessem ent
15
M - 1.
OVERVIEW OF THE MODULE
M - 1.1
FORMAL DESCRIPTION
Code
n.BA.UI.VAAPS
Module
Vegetation analysis and plant systematics
Status
Elective module
ECTS-Credits
4 (2 for Vegetation analysis and 2 for Plant systematics)
Semester
4
M - 1.2
ABSTRACT
The module consists of two courses. In the vegetation analysis course, the principles and methods needed for
dealing with floristic and vegetation-ecological questions in space and time are taught, starting from relevant
questions and ending with interpretation of results from analyses. Ultimately, good knowledge of flora is needed
to work on vegetation-ecological questions. It is therefore important to know and to be able to apply the
relevant literature for determination of plant species, for which a fundamental knowledge of plant systematics is
essential. It is much easier to determine unknown plant species if one knows the characteristics of important
plant families and genera, so that a species can be assigned to a family or genus without the help of a key. This
knowledge is the topic of the plant systematics course.
M - 1.3
GENERAL AIMS
The module imparts the knowledge necessary to solve vegetation-ecological questions professionally and
independently.
The aim is also to be able to correctly and quickly identify unknown, native plant species using traditional tools
for plants systematics.
M - 1.4
ASSESSMENT
The module consists of two courses. Each course is separately assessed. The grade awarded in this module is
based on the following two assignments:

Vegetation analysis: a report on a project conducted in teams of 2-3 students (50% of the final mark).

Plant systematics: A written 1.5 h exam at the end of the course, also containing a 0.5 h practical
plant-identification section (50% of the final mark).
1
M - 1.5
STUCTURE OF THE MODULE
The module runs for the whole semester. The vegetation analysis course mainly consists of lecture based contact
lessons and a project which is carried out independently in teams of 2-3 students.
The plant systematics course mainly consists of exercise based contact lessons, which need to be prepared as
homework prior to the lessons. Both courses are accompanied by mandatory as well as voluntary field trips.
Workload:
The module consists of 4 lessons per week, all in one afternoon. Usually 2 lessons on vegetation analysis are
directly followed by 2 lessons on plant systematics. However, exceptions may occur due to public holidays, field
trips and project work. A detailed programme will be handed out at the start of the courses.
The total workload, including essential self-study, is approximately 120 hours.
start of semester
(week 8)
lecture & exercises:
end of semester
(week 22)
(largely lectures)
(largely exercises)
home work:
(reading & preparation for exercises)
(project work: independent work in teams)
assignment:
exam
vegetation analysis
M - 1.6
plant systematics
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Good knowledge of native plant species as well as an interest in plant systematics and vegetation ecology is a
prerequisite for successful participation in the module.
For the vegetation analysis course, it is important to have a basic knowledge of the structure and function of
terrestrial ecosystems. It is also an advantage to have an overview of the most important plant associations in
Switzerland.
For the plant systematics course, basic knowledge of botany, plant morphology, anatomy and physiology is
required.
These prerequisites are taught in the following courses: “Angewandte Ökologie 1” and “Biologie 1+2”.
M - 1.7
MODULE EVALUATION
At the beginning of the semester the expectations, wishes and knowledge of the students are evaluated in an
online survey. In the second part of the semester, the students have the opportunity to evaluate both
courses separately. The anonymous results of the survey and the evaluations will be made available for the
students on ‘Moodle’.
2
M - 2.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
See M 1.3 General aims and course descriptions.
M - 3.
MODULE CONTENT
M - 3.1
THEMATIC INTRODUCTION TO THE MODULE
Flora and vegetation of an ecosystem are generally much easier to assess than most other elements or
processes. Vegetation-ecological and floristic data form the basis for the solution to most challenges in nature
conservation, agriculture, forestry, landscape management and environmental impact assessment.
The vegetation analysis course provides the principles and methods needed to work on vegetation-ecological
topics in time and space; from asking the right questions, to correctly interpreting the often complex results of
analyses.
in order to analyse vegetation efficiently, a solid knowledge of plant species and the different tools for identifying
them is needed, as well as the ability to use these tools efficiently and correctly. The plant systematics course
forms the basis for this. To date, approximately 400‘000 living plant species are known worldwide und new ones
are regularly discovered. To bring order into this diversity, plant species are categorised in taxa according to
their relationships. Plant systematics is the science of ordering and describing species. To efficiently carry out a
vegetation analysis or to add a newly discovered species to the system, knowledge of plant systematics is
necessary. For further information, see the course descriptions.
M - 3.2
RELATIONSHIP TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Competences gained in this module can be directly transferred to nature conservation and management,
because this is often synonymous with conservation and management of vegetation. Managing biodiversity is
only possible if the key entities of biodiversity, the different species, can be recognised or determined. The
ability to recognise species also forms the basis of our ethical responsibility towards nature and biodiversity.
With the competences from this module, students will be able to assess and evaluate spatial and temporal
changes in landscapes/nature. It particularly enables students to recognise undesirable or desirable
developments in environments e.g. the slow destruction of raised bogs, which is undesirable for society and
nature protection.
The competences from the plant systematics course (species knowledge and the use of dichotomous
identification keys) and the vegetation analysis course (analysis and evaluation) not only provide an
understanding of vegetation management, but can also be transferred to species groups other than plants.
3
transformation
ethical background
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
ecological dimension
time dimension
spatial dimension
M - 4.
social dimension
economic dimension
LEARNING WITHIN THE MODULE
M - 4.1
DIDACTIC PRINCIPLES
The module attaches great importance to practical hands-on experience in the fields of vegetation analysis and
plant systematics. Reading (homework) or lecture content are, whenever possible, directly applied in exercises
or project work. This learning setting allows efficient consolidation of the module content, but also requires
active preparation and participation from the students.
M - 4.2
LEARNING ARRANGEMENTS
A broad spectrum of methods is applied in this module. Regular self-study tasks combined with learning checks
on ‘Moodle’ allow students to effectively consolidate the module content and help them to keep track of the
module content. Lectures act as stimulation and should broaden the students’ horizons. A large part of the
module consists of practical exercises and project work.
M - 5.
SEMESTER PROGRAMME
A detailed semester programme will be handed out at the start of the module.
4
K - 1.
COURSE 1: VEGETATION ANALYSIS
K - 1.1
FORMAL DESCRIPTION
Course code
n.BA.UI.VAAPS
Course coordinator
Prof. Dr. Bertil O. Krüsi
Lecturers
Dr. Bertil O. Krüsi, Dr. Eva Frei, Manuel Babbi
Latest update
February 2016
K - 1.2
COURSE OBJECTIVES / LEARNING OUTCOMES
After the course the students will be aware of the basics and methods needed to independently analyse and
work on vegetation-ecological questions in space and time. They will, in particular, be able to independently
carry out all necessary steps for conducting vegetation-ecological research (appropriate questions, sampling
design, sampling, analysis, interpretation and plausibility check). At the end of the course the students will be
able to deal with the complexity and diversity of vegetation systems. They will be able to assess the many
potential issues and apply methodology based approaches to deal with them. The main goal of the course is to
foster the analytical skills needed to deal with complex ecological question as well as the methodological
competences to choose the most relevant and appropriate methods and parameters needed to answer the
questions.
Professional and methodological competences
Participants in this course will be able…

to identify the appropriate parameters needed to answer concrete vegetation-ecological questions

to choose the parameters that can be measured and analysed within an acceptable amount of time for
an acceptable effort

to plan the collection of data or the experiment in such a way that it can be statistically analysed

to correctly use the most common methods for collection and analysis of vegetation-data e.g.

o
traditional vegetation analysis using Braun-Blanquet
o
alternative ways of sampling the vegetation (distance sampling, plotless sampling)
o
recording and analysing vegetation-data with VEGEDAZ
o
calculation of unweighted and weighted indicator values
o
calculation of floristic similarity (Jaccard, van der Maarel) using VEGEDAZ
to correctly interpret, sometimes, complex results from methods such as multivariate analysis
5
Social and personal skills
Social and personal skills are fostered in practical training (indoor and in the field) as well as in the assignment,
which is carried out in small groups of students.
K - 1.3
COURSE CONTENTS
K - 1.3.1.
Thematic introduction to the course
It is usually much easier and more reliable to study flora and vegetation than most other elements and
processes of an ecosystem. Vegetation-ecological and floristic data form the basis of solutions to complex
questions in nature conservation and restoration, agriculture and forestry. They also help to assess the impact of
major construction sites on the environment. In the vegetation analysis course you will learn about scientific
fundamentals as well as the methods needed to deal with vegetation-ecological questions and problems in space
and time; from asking the right questions, to interpretation of often complex results.
K - 1.3.2.
Key content
The main goal of the course is to familiarise students with the basics and principles needed to carry out a typical
vegetation-ecological project:

asking the right questions

choosing the appropriate sampling design

carrying out the actual sampling (vegetation survey according to Braun-Blanquet; plotless-Sampling
etc. )

analysing the data (ecological indicator values, multivariate analysis, floristic similarity according to
Jaccard or van der Maarel; Software VEGEDAZ)

correctly interpreting the results and checking for their plausibility.
K - 1.4
LEARNING WITHIN THE COURSE
K - 1.4.1.
Learning arrangements
The course consists of lectures and practical exercises/training in the field and indoors. The practical exercises,
which are tackled in small working groups, help students to understand and use the knowledge taught in the
course. In addition, e-learning exercises and self-study tasks help them to understand and gain a deeper
knowledge of the topics taught.
In total the course consists of 60 hours:
6

16 hours of lectures

6 hours self-study (reading) in preparation for exercises

4 hours of practical indoor exercises

4-8 hours of field training

24-30 hours of project work
Exercises
The exercises, for which the students organise themselves into small groups, offer opportunities for problembased learning and strengthen social and personal skills.. The field training and practical indoor exercises offer
the opportunity to apply and use the knowledge necessary to solve vegetation-ecological questions. In the
practical work, the students independently apply all of the steps necessary to solve such a question.
K - 1.4.2.
Course material
Detailed course documentation is available in print or as an electronic version on the Moodle eLearning-platform.
It consists of:

a detailed course guide with central questions, terms and definitions

all lectures as power-point presentations

a detailed, commented literature list

a glossary containing all the important technical terms

a detailed script

documentation of all exercises and field training

sample solutions for exercises/field training

best practice examples of project work

old exams and solutions for practice
7
K - 1.5
SET BOOKS, RECOMMENDED AND FURTHER READING
Set books
There is no compulsory reading beyond the lecture script. For additional information Tremp (2005), which is very
compact and has a similar structure to the lecture, is recommended: Tremp H., 2005: Aufnahme und
Analyse vegetationsökologischer Daten. Ulmer, Stuttgart. 141 S.
The most important literature is cited in the script and in the following list. In bold are books which are
particularly suitable for beginners. There is also a commented literature list sorted according to topics available
on Moodle.
Methods in Vegetation-ecology
Krebs C.J., 1999: Ecological Methodology. 2nd ed. Addison Wesley Longman, Menlo Park, California, USA. 620
pp.
Mueller-Dombois D. and Ellenberg H., 1974: Aims and Methods of Vegetation Ecology. John Wiley and Sons,
New York, Chichester, Brisbane, Toronto. 547pp.
Gigon A., Marti R., Scheiwiller T., 2004: Kurzpraktikum Terrestrische Ökologie. 2. Aufl. vdf Hochschulverlag,
ETH, Zürich. 157 S.
Henderson P.A., 2003: Practical methods in Ecology. Blackwell. 176 pp.
Leps J., Smilauer P., 2003: Multivariate analysis of ecological data using Canoco. Cambridge University Press.
282 pp.
Leyer I., Wesche K., 2008: Multivariate Statistik in der Ökologie. Springer, Berlin. 221 S.
Magurran A.E., 2003: Measuring Biodiversity. Blackwell. 260 S.
Tremp H., 2005: Aufnahme und Analyse vegetationsökologischer Daten. Ulmer, Stuttgart, 141 S.
Wildi O. 2010: Data Analysis in Vegetation Ecology. Wiley-Blackwell. 224 pp.
Textbooks on Geobotany
Braun-Blanquet J., 1964: Pflanzensoziologie. Grundlagen der Vegetationskunde. 3. Aufl. Springer-Verlag, Wien,
New York. 865 pp.
Dierschke, H., 1994: Pflanzensoziologie. Grundlagen und Methoden. Ulmer, Stuttgart. 688 S.
Fischer A., 2003: Forstliche Vegetationskunde. Eine Einführung in die Geobotanik. 3. Aufl. Ulmer, Stuttgart. 421
S.
Frey W., Lösch R., 2010: Lehrbuch der Geobotanik: Pflanze und Vegetation in Raum und Zeit. 3. Aufl.
Elsevier Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg. 528 S.
Vegetation of Switzerland
Delarze R., Gonseth Y., 2008: Lebensräume der Schweiz. Ökologie, Gefährdung, Kennarten. 2. Aufl.
Ott-hep-Verlag, Bern. 424 S.
Käsermann C., 2007: Pflanzenwelt der Jungfrauregion. Ott-hep-Verlag, Bern. 315 S.
Keller W. et al. 1998: Waldgesellschaften der Schweiz auf floristischer Grundlage. Mitt. Eidgenössische
Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft, 73(2), 93-357.
Landolt E., 2003: Alpenflora. 7. Aufl. SAC-Verlag, Bern. 341 S.
Osterwalder K., Klingenböck A., Baltisberger M., Kretzschmar R., 2006: Virtuelle Exkursionen. Vdf, Zürich. DVDRom.
Schmid W., Bolzern H., Guyer C., 2007: Mähwiesen: Ökologie und Bewirtschaftung. Flora, Fauna und
Bewirtschaftung am Beispiel von elf Luzerner Mähwiesen. Lehrmittelverlag Kt. Luzern, Littau. 206 S.
Steiger P., 2010: Wälder der Schweiz. Von Lindengrün zu Lärchengold. Vielfalt der Waldbilder und
Waldgesellschaften der Schweiz. 4. Aufl. Ott-hep-Verlag, Bern. 462 S.
Weber E., 2009: Pflanzenleben der Schweiz. Swiss Plant Life. Haupt, Bern. 208 S.
8
Vegetation of Europe and the Alps
Ellenberg H., 1996: Vegetation Mitteleuropas mit den Alpen: in ökologischer, dynamischer und
historischer Sicht. 5. Aufl. Ulmer, Stuttgart. 1095 S.
Klötzli F, Dietl W., Marti K., Schubiger C., Walther J.-R., 2010: Vegetation Europas. Das Offenland im
vegetationskundlich-ökologischen Überblick. Ott-hep-Verlag, Bern. 1019 S.
Körner C., 2003. Alpine Plant Life - Functional Ecology of High Mountain Ecosystems. 2nd ed. Springer, Berlin.
344 S.
Schubert R., Hilbig W., Klotz S., 2010: Bestimmungsbuch der Pflanzengesellschaften Deutschlands. Nachdruck
der 1. Aufl. von 2001. Spektrum, Heidelberg. 472 S.
Wilmanns O., 1998: Ökologische Pflanzensoziologie. Eine Einführung in die Vegetation Mitteleuropas. 6. Aufl.
Quelle & Meyer, Wiesbaden. 405 S. (Volltext digital verfügbar unter: http://www.freidok.unifreiburg.de/volltexte/3750/, gedruckte Ausgabe erhältlich bei: www.proprint-service-de)
Vegetation of the earth
Pott R., 2005: Allgemeine Geobotanik. Biogeosysteme und Biodiversität. Springer, Berlin. 652 S.
Schultz J., 2008: Die Ökozonen der Erde. 4. Aufl. Ulmer Verlag, Stuttgart. 372 S.
Walter H., Breckle S.-W., 1999: Vegetation und Klimazonen. Grundriss der globalen Oekologie. 7. Aufl.. UTB,
Stuttgart. 544 S.
Walter H., Breckle S.-W., 1991-2004. Ökologie der Erde. Bd. 1: Grundlagen, Bd. 2: Spezielle Ökologie
der Tropen und Subtropen, Bd. 3: Spezielle Ökologie der Gemäßigten und Arktischen Zonen
Euro-Nordasiens, Bd. 4: Gemäßigte und Arktische Zonen außerhalb Euro-Nordasiens.
Spektrum, Heidelberg.
Identification keys
Dietl W., Lehmann J., Jorquera M., 1998: Wiesengräser. Landwirt. Lehrmittelzentrale, CH-3052 Zollikofen. 191
S.
Dietl W. & Jorquera M., 2007: Wiesen- und Alpenpflanzen. Erkennen an den Blättern, Freuen an den Blüten, 3.
Aufl. Österreichischer Agrarverlag, Wien. 655 S.
Eggenberg S., Möhl A., 2009: Flora Vegetativa. Ein Bestimmungsbuch für Pflanzen der Schweiz im blütenlosen
Zustand. 2. Aufl. Haupt, Bern, 680 S.
Hess H. E., Landolt E., Hirzel R., 1976-80: Flora der Schweiz und angrenzender Gebiete. 2. Aufl. 3 Bde.
Birkhäuser, Basel. 2690 S.
Krüsi B.O., 2010: Schlüssel zum Bestimmen von Gräsern und Grasartigen im nicht-blühenden Zustand. Skript,
Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften ZHAW, Institut für Umwelt und Natürliche
Ressourcen IUNR, CH-8820 Wädenswil, 38 pp.
Landolt E., 2003: Unsere Alpenflora. 7. Aufl. SAC-Verlag, Bern. 341 S.
Lauber K., Wagner G., 2005: Flora Helvetica ein interaktiver Führer durch die Flora der Schweiz. 1 CD-ROM,
Ausgabe 2.1. Haupt, Bern.
Lauber K., Wagner G., 2009: Flora Helvetica. Korrigierter Nachdruck der 4. Aufl. von 2007. Haupt,
Bern. 1632 + 280 S.
Lautenschlager E.,1989: Die Weiden der Schweiz. Birkhäuser, Basel. 136 S.
Wartmann B.A., 2008: Die Orchideen der Schweiz. 2. Aufl. Haupt, Bern, 244 S.
9
Indicator values
Ellenberg H. et al., 2003: Zeigerwerte von Pflanzen in Mitteleuropa. CD-Rom. Goltze, Göttingen.
Landolt E., 1977: Ökologische Zeigerwerte zur Schweizer Flora. Veröff. Geobot. Inst. ETH, Stiftung Rübel, 64.
Heft, 208 S.
Landolt E. et al., 2010: Flora indicativa. Haupt, Bern. 768 S.
Varia
Joss S., 2008: Blütenwanderungen in der Schweiz. AT-Verlag. 160 S.
Important sources on the web:

Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU (z.B. Natur- und Landschaftsschutz, Lebensräume, Biodiversität, Inventare,
Rote Listen, Klima, Forschung): www.bafu.umwelt.ch

Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU: WebGIS zur Abfrage von Umweltdaten: www.ecogis.admin.ch

Amt für Natur und Landschaft Kanton Zürich, Fachstelle Naturschutz (diverse kantonsspezifische Infos
und Downloads): www.naturschutz.zh.ch

Kanton Zürich: WebGIS zur Abfrage von kantonalen Umweltdaten etc.: www.gis.zh.ch

Forum Biodiversität Schweiz (inkl. Biodiversitätsmonitoring BDM): www.biodiversity.ch

Nationales Zentrum für die Kartierung der Schweizer Flora: www.zdsf.ch

Swiss Web Flora: www.wsl.ch/land/products/webflora/welcome-de.ehtml
K - 1.6
ASSESSMENT
K - 1.6.1.
Goal
General oral or written feedback is provided for all exercises, but no grades are awarded. Solutions will be
available on Moodle for complex exercises. As part of their project work students demonstrate their ability to
independently and correctly carry out all the necessary steps to solve a vegetation-ecological problem. Central to
this work is that the students improve their analytical skills, especially when considering how to solve complex
questions and choose relevant methods and parameters to answer questions.
K - 1.6.2.
Record of achievement
Training in the field
Feedback will be provided for the compulsory and the voluntary field training.
Indoor exercises
Feedback will be provided for both indoor-exercises.
Written project work
Students complete a project and written report in a small team, which will be assessed in detail. The grade given
will account for 50% of the final module grade.
10
K - 1.6.3.
General conditions
All documentation and resources (script, books etc.) may be used for all exercises and project work. Sample
solutions to exercises, old exams and best practice examples of practical works are available on the Moodle elearning platform. See the ZHAW’s current examination regulations.
11
K - 2.
COURSE 2: PLANT SYSTEMATICS
K - 2.1
FORMAL DESCRIPTION
Course code
n.BA.UI.VAAPS
Course coordinator
Dr. Eva Frei
Lecturers
Daniel Hepenstrick, Dr. Eva Frei, Dr. Regula Billeter, Manuel Babbi,
Dr. Bertil O. Krüsi, Christine Bühler-Traub, Beat Wartmann (1 DL)
Latest update
K - 2.2
February 2016
COURSE OBJECTIVES / LEARNING OUTCOMES
Participants on this course…

will be able to classify all Swiss plants from a total biodiversity of 3000 species with the help of a solid
knowledge of approximately 20 plant families and skills in plant identification using dichotomous
identification keys.
K - 2.3
COURSE CONTENTS
K - 2.3.1. Thematic introduction to the course
In large species groups, such as flowering plants, plant systematics provide tools crucial for identifying and
managing the diversity in species. From our point of view, plant systematics consists of the application and
fusion of two tools: (i) theoretical knowledge of the evolutionary network behind flowering plants, which allows
us to swiftly assign an unknown species to a plant family, simply by recognising a set of morphological
characteristics. (ii) the ability to apply relevant identification literature to confidently identify a species.
Practice and hands-on experience are key factors in someone’s ability to productively apply plant systematics
tools. The basic concepts and tools of systematic biology learnt in this course can be transferred to any other
species group (animals etc.).
The content taught is mostly a subset of that examined for the certificates of the Swiss botanical society. An
additional, voluntary exam for a basic botany certificate (knowledge of 200 species and their families) is offered
at the end of the course.
12
K - 2.3.2.
Key content
Professional and methodological competences
Participants of this course will be able to…

recognise, describe, name and interpret the vegetative and generative morphological characters of
flowering plants.

apply the concepts and tools of systematic biology to flowering plants. This includes the description of
phylogenetic trees, interpretation of taxonomic ranks, application of important higher taxonomic units
(Dicots, Monocots, certain orders etc.) as well as the interpretation of morphological traits from an
evolutionary and ecological point of view.

recognise and describe 26 important plant families by their individual combination of standard
morphological characteristics.

list four example species for each plant family they know. This also includes identifying the diagnostic
morphological characteristics at the genus and species level.

identify any Swiss flowering plant species using a dichotomous identification key.

argue for or against the membership of any given plant to any species, genus and family they know by
pointing out relevant morphological characters of the given plant.

actively choose between different identification tools (floras, identification keys, mobile device
applications, internet sources, etc.) depending on the identification task they are confronted with
(species identification, conformation of identifications, identification of non-flowering specimens,
identification of difficult species groups, etc.)
Social skills
Participants on this course will be able to…

decide constructively on their own or in teams during self-study and practical exercises how to optimise
their learning outcome.

actively and constructively ask for advice of their colleagues and the teaching staff during their practical
exercises.
Personal skills
Participants of this course will be able to…

operate in a bilingual (English & German) learning environment.

actively acquire knowledge by reading their course book and consolidate this knowledge during their
exercises in order to transform it into practical skills.

optimise their learning strategies in the field of systematic biology.
K - 2.3.3.
Relationship to sustainable development
See module description.
The first step towards protection of biodiversity is to recognise and identify species: “only things that are known
can be protected”. Therefore, the main goal of the plant systematics course is to enable its participants to
identify plant species. On an emotional level, the practical exercises and field trips are also designed to reinforce
positive feelings towards plant biodiversity.
13
K - 2.4
LEARNING WITHIN THE COURSE
K - 2.4.1.
Learning arrangements
Students are required to prepare for their lessons by reading the course book and evaluating themselves on
moodle. The contact lessons may start with approximately 20 minutes of lecture, followed by about 1.5h of
practical exercises. Special programme items include short field trips, guests and longer identification sessions
towards the end of the semester.
K - 2.4.2.
Course materials
The following two items are required and can be purchased from the lecturer:

Course book: Baltisberger M., Nyffeler R. & Widmer A.W. (2013) Systematische Botanik: Einheimische
Farn- und Samenpflanzen, 4. vollständig überarbeitete und erweiterte Auflage, vdf Hochschulverlag AG,
Zürich.

Hand lens with 10x magnification.
Furthermore, participants are encouraged to purchase a dichotomous identification key:

Binz A. & Heitz C. (1990) Schul- und Exkursionsflora für die Schweiz. 19., vollständig überarbeitete und
erweiterte Auflage. Schwabe Verlag, Basel.
Handouts, further literature, identification keys for use in the lessons, practice sheets, and plant and dissection
material will be provided. For non-German speaking students, individual solutions for obtaining a course book
and identification key can be discussed with the lecturer.
The official language for the course is English. However, experience has shown that just using English as
medium of instruction for plant systematics is problematic (too many technical terms). Therefore, a mixed
approach is employed:

Lectures in German or English (depending on incoming students)

Practical training in German (special assistance for non-German speaking students)

Course books in German (individual solution for non-German speaking students)

We suggest learning morphological terms exclusively in German

Exam: written in German (non-German speaking students: oral in English)
K - 2.5
SET BOOKS, RECOMMENDED AND FURTHER READING
Swiss Flora
Lauber K., Wagner G. & Gygax A. (2012) Flora Helvetica. 5., vollständig überarbeitete Auflage. Haupt Verlag,
Bern, Stuttgart, Wien.
Eggenberg S. & Möhl A. (2007) Flora Vegetativa. Ein Bestimmungsbuch für Pflanzen der Schweiz im blütenlosen
Zustand. Haupt Verlag, Bern, Stuttgart, Wien.
Identification keys
Hess H.E., Landolt E., Hirzel R. & Baltisberger M. (2010) Bestimmungsschlüssel zur Flora der Schweiz und
angrenzender Gebiete. 6., aktualisierte und überarbeitete Auflage. Springer Verlag, Basel.
Rothmaler W. (2011) Exkursionsflora von Deutschland. Gefässpflanzen: Grundband. 20., neu bearbeitete und
erweiterte Auflage, herausgegeben von Jäger E.J. & al. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg.
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Schmeil O. & Fitschen J. (2011) Die Flora Deutschlands und der angrenzenden Länder. 95. Auflage, vollständig
überarbeitet und erweitert von Seybold S. Verlag Quelle & Meyer, Wiebelsheim.
Swiss
Delarze R. & Gonseth Y. (2008) Lebensräume der Schweiz. Ökologie – Gefährdung – Kennarten. Ott Verlag,
Bern.
English literature
Simpson M.G. (2010) Plant systematics. 2. Auflage. Academic Press, Burlington, San Diego, Oxford.
Stace C.A. (1991) New flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Homepages
www.infoflora.ch
National information centre for the Swiss flora
www.mobot.org/mobot/research/apweb
Angiosperm phylogeny website
www.pflanzenbestimmung.de
Forum for plant identification
www.botanica-helvetica.ch
Swiss botanical society
www.zbg.ch
Zurich botanical society
K - 2.6
ASSESSEMENT
K - 2.6.1.
Goal
The written examination consists of a 0.5 h practical part in which the use of a dichotomous key will be assessed
followed by a 1 h theoretical part which covers further professional and methodological skills (see Key content).
K - 2.6.2.
Record of achievement
The two parts of the written examination are weighted as follows
Record of achievement
Assessment
Weight for the final course mark
Participation in > 80% of the module
-
must be fulfilled
Practical part (0.5 h)
mark
Ca. 30 %
Theoretical part (1 h)
mark
Ca. 70 %
K - 2.6.3.
General conditions
See the ZHAW’s current examination regulations.
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