Biology
Ecology
Department of Biology
Prof. dr. Petras Kurlavicius
Studentu 39, Vilnius LT-08106, room 221, tel. +370 85
32652, petras.kurlavicius@lue.lt
English
Language of Instruction
BIO 1 and 2 plus STAT 001 (Introduction to Statistics)
Required Prerequisites
Suggested Academic Cycle Bachelor degree studies (from 2nd year of studies)
or Year of Studies
Autumn/Spring
Semester
3
ECTS Credits
4
Contact Hours per Week
Elective
Compulsory/ Elective
Lectures, seminars and individual consultations
Methods of Teaching
Form of Assessment
2 papers (20+30), individual essay30, final test 20
Title of the Study Program
Title of the Module
Faculty, Department
Instructor
Address
Course Description
The course is focussed on improving ecological literacy by learning the basic facts, principles and
concepts of the field of ecology, scientific literacy by learning how ecologists construct knowledge
and analytical as well as writing skills through analysis and interpretation of ecological data. It
presents the basic concepts of ecology with balanced treatment of plant and animal examples. The
course provides students with an understanding of the fundamental processes that influence the
distribution and abundance of organisms, the interactions among organisms, and the role of
organisms in the flux of energy and cycling of matter. This course highlights human interactions
with the environment as a context for understanding larger ecological principles. In addition to
focusing on the subject of ecology, this course will emphasize scientific thinking and problem
solving. An understanding of ecology will make you better biologists (no matter what area you
study) and informed citizens.
Topic outline: introduction to ecology, hierarchy of biological organization, definition of ecological
terms, basic ecological principles, biotic and abiotic components, ecosystem ecology, trophic
structure, energy flow, food chain and food web, population ecology: stability of populations,
interactions among populations at the community and ecosystems levels, survivorship curves, life
history patterns, human population growth; community ecology: structure, competition, predation,
symbiosis; ecosystems: productivity, nutrient cycling, eutrophication, biogeochemical cycling,
human intrusion to biogeochemical cycles; biogeography and biodiversity; biomes: characteristics,
location in the World, climate, representative flora and fauna; biosphere and lithosphere: pollution,
deforestation, land degradation, soil erosion; hydrosphere: characteristics, pollution, coral reef
destruction; atmosphere: characteristics, layers, pollution, acid rain, global warming, greenhouse
effect, ozone depletion.
Readings
1. Ricklefs, R. E. & Miller G. L. Ecology, 4thed.
2. Stiling, P. D.: Ecology: Theories and Applications, 4thed.
3. Bush, M. B.: Ecology of a Changing Planet, 3rded.
4. Smith, R. L. and T. M. Smith: Elements of Ecology, 5thed.
5. Beeby, A.: Applying Ecology
6. Krebs, C. J.: Ecology, 5thed.