300668 VO Mountain ecology (2005W)

ETCS: 3
The lecture starts with the simple question: What are alpine environments ? The second part is an account on different alpine regions on earth, from the tropical paramo to the polar mountain desserts. In the following the question how the alpine plants (and animals; marginally treated) are adapted to the harsh environment of high mountains, and how they may react to climate change. Further: The biogeographical relations of the alpine flora will be discussed, and the vegetation types of alpine habitats in the Alps will be presented. Finally, special attention is drawn to human life in mountain environments, and how to protect the unique world of mountains.