Biogeography

elementary

enter learning outcome code/codes

The lecture introduces the distribution and diversity of animals (and plants) on the globe, shows the causes of the present distribution of species. It deals with issues such as: species range, dispersion, interspecies interactions, geological processes, species extinction, human influence on fauna and flora, biogeography of islands

The lecture introduces the distribution and diversity of animals (and plants) on the globe, shows the causes of the present distribution of species. It deals with issues such as: species range, dispersion, interspecies interactions, geological processes, species extinction, human influence on fauna and flora, biogeography of islands

1.Introduction. What is biogeography. History of biogeography

2. Distribution of species – ranges

3. Biogeographical processes – dispersal, immigration

4-5. Speciation and extinction – the impact on fauna diversity

6. Geological processes – how could be explained separate character or similarity of fauna

7. Biological interactions and distribution of species

8. The impact of abiotic factors on fauna distribution

9. Past intercontinental movements of the species

10. Biogeographical regions

11. Biomes - review

12-13. Island biogeography

14-15. The human impact on species distribution

Basic literature:

1. Ch.J. Krebs 2011. Ekologia. PWN, Warszawa

2. J. Weiner 1999. Życie i ewolucja biosfery. PWN, Warszawa

3. A.S. Pullin 2007. Biologiczne podstawy ochrony przyrody. PWN, Warszawa

4. T. Umiński 1984. Zwierzęta i kontynenty. WSiP, Warszawa

5. T. Umiński 1986. Zwierzęta i oceany. WSiP, Warszawa

6. M.V. Lomolino, B. Riddle, R.J. Whittaker, J.H.Brown 2010. Biogeography, Fourth Ed. Sinauer

Additional literature:

1. T. Umiński 1998. Życie naszej ziemi. WSiP, Warszawa

2. P.P.Wtorow, N.N. Drozdow 1981. Biogeografia kontynentów. PWN, Warszawa

3. G.C. MacGavin 2007. Zagrożona przyroda. Gatunki, które wkrótce wyginą. Bellona, Warszawa

4. D.Palmer, P.Barrett. 2009. Ewolucja. Historia życia. MAK, Bremen

a) Learning outcomes

1. Knowledge. Student defines terms and ideas of basic biogeography; describes and distinguishes biogeographic regions and biomes; characterizes factors responsible for current distribution of fauna, both historical and present; can explain causes of island fauna separate character; can recognize human disturbances which affect species distribution

2. Skills: Student can find information in internet and libraries for the given subject; can interpret scientific paper;

3. Competences: Student is critical and cautious when using different sources;

b) Description of ECTS

Student activitieshours of student work

Participation in the course30

Consultations5

Preparation to tests/quizzes60

Preparation of presentation30

Total95 [95/30 (25) = 4]

ECTS points4

Knowledge:

- for 2 (ndst.) Student is not able to define terms and ideas of basic biogeography; cannot describe and distinguish biogeographic regions and biomes; cannot characterize factors responsible for current distribution of fauna, both historical and present; cannot explain causes of island fauna separate character; cannot recognize human disturbances which affect species distribution

- for 3 (dst.) Student defines only some most important terms and ideas of basic biogeography; describes and distinguishes some biogeographic regions and biomes; characterizes some factors responsible for current distribution of fauna; knows island fauna separate character but cannot explain causes of it; knows most important human disturbances but cannot explain their impact on species distribution

- for 4 (db) Student properly defines terms and ideas of basic biogeography; describes and distinguishes biogeographic regions and biomes; characterizes most of factors responsible for current distribution of fauna, both historical and present; knows island fauna separate character but can explain causes of some of them; knows most important human disturbances but cannot explain sufficiently their impact on species distribution

- for 5 (bdb) Student properly defines all introduced terms and ideas of basic biogeography; sufficiently describes and distinguishes biogeographic regions and biomes and their inhabitants; excellently characterizes factors responsible for current distribution of fauna, both historical and present; can explain causes of island fauna separate character; can recognize human disturbances which affect species distribution by himself (explain their impact)

Skills:

- for 2 (ndst.): Student cannot properly use information in internet and libraries for the given subject; is not able to interpret scientific papers;

- for 3 (dst.): Student can find information in internet and libraries for the given subject but cannot recognize which is important or not; has problems with interpretation of scientific papers;

- for 4 (db): Student can find important information in internet and libraries; can properly interpret scientific papers;

- for 5 (bdb): Student can excellently find and use information in internet and libraries for the given subject and select the most important; can excellently interpret scientific paper;

Competences:

The critical approach to information sources will be evaluated, as well as an interest in the topic and willingness to broaden a knowledge

Evaluation scheme:

Final evaluation: the final test - facts on biogeography

Attendance at the lecture will be checked; students can not complete the class if the number of absences (justified and unjustified) exceeds half the class.