Biology, ecology
Population ecology
Department of Biology
Prof. Dr. Petras Kurlavicius
Studentų 39, Vilnius LT-08106, room 227, tel. +370 85
32652, petras.kurlavicius@leu.lt
English
Language of Instruction
General Ecology
Required Prerequisites
Suggested Academic Cycle Bachelor degree studies (from 2nd year of studies)
or Year of Studies
Autumn/Spring
Semester
5
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 essay 30, final test 20
Title of the Study Program
Title of the Module
Faculty, Department
Instructor
Address
Course Description
The course is a detailed and thorough investigation of theory and empirical studies of
population ecology (mostly of plant and animal) including methodology, population structure,
dynamics, and interactions with their environment. The main objective of the course is to
provide the framework for understanding the main concepts and theories of population
ecology, while familiarizing students with the important theoretical and empirical research in
the field. In course lectures students will be introduced to the basic concepts and ideas of
population and evolutionary ecology. They will critically engage the primary literature
through assigned readings and discussions; in laboratory sessions they will develop
techniques for analysis of models and data.
Most attention would be paid to (the course topics): the dynamics or sizes of populations and
the processes which determine these sizes (how populations interact with their environment);
understanding of the processes of evolution of the populations, dynamics of the growth of
modular organisms; mathematical and evolutionary treatment of population growth;
regulation of interspecific interactions, including competition and predation and its
subdivisions; niche theory, life history evolution, natural selection, predator-prey dynamics,
competition, and transmission of infectious diseases.
Readings
1. Robert E. Ricklefs & Gary L. Miller. Ecology (fourth edition).
2. Begon, M, M. Mortimer and D.J. Thompson. 1996. Population Ecology. A unified
study of Animals and Plants. Blackwell Science.
3. Ted J. Case. 2000. An Illustrated Guide to Theoretical Ecology, Oxford UP.
4. Tilman, D. and P. Karieva, Eds. 1997. Spatial Ecology: The Role of Space in
Population Dynamics and Interspecific Interactions. Monographs in Population
Biology, Princeton University Press.