ENV014 Stability and chaos in ecology (ecological stability)

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2014
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: k (colloquium), graded credit, z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Pavel Rotter, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Ivan Holoubek, CSc.
RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: prof. RNDr. Jakub Hofman, Ph.D.
Supplier department: RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Wed 16:00–17:50 D29/252-RCX1
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
To introduce ecological stability as a key variable for understanding the evolution, structure, and protection of ecosystems. At the end of the course, students should be able to: • explain the concept of stability in ecology and clarify the different approaches to ecological stability depending on the observed dynamics of the ecosystems or populations; • identify nodal points and important stabilizing mechanisms in the ecosystems; • apply basic knowledge of thermodynamics to describe some of the environmental problems; • estimate the potential risk of pollution and other processes associated with human activity for the stability of ecosystems; • analyze the relationship between biodiversity and stability; • take into account this knowledge in solving environmental problems; • defend the importance of the concept of sustainable development.
Syllabus
  • • Wider clarification of the concept of stability and its relevance to natural systems • stability and temporal and spatial scale • development of ecosystems in the area of Czech Republic and the Quaternary climatic oscillations • collapses and irreversible changes of ecosystems in preindustrial times: a few examples • history of systems thinking • basic characteristics of complex systems • non-linear behavior of complex systems • non-linear behavior of ecosystems • paths to the dynamic equilibrium and stability of equilibrium states • mechanisms of stabilization of dynamic equilibrium • Thermodynamics and Ecological thermodynamics: basic concepts and principles • evolution of ecosystems and stability • maintaining homeostasis in a changing environment: Gaia • the entropy of the ecosystem and its relationship to stability • the emergence of order from chaos • overproduction of entropy in degraded ecosystems • the energy structure of the ecosystem • carbon storage and dynamic strategy development of ecosystem. • matter flows and concentrations as indicators of stability • understanding the meaning of cycle of elements and their recycling for the stability of the ecosystem. • eutrophication, acidification, aluminum stress: the main causes of damage to forest ecosystems • biodiversity and stability • quo vadis ecosystems? • relationship between evolution and stability of ecosystems • "4. Law of Thermodynamics"• exergical degradation of ecosystems • final summary.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • LOREAU, Michel. From populations to ecosystems : theoretical foundations for a new ecological synthesis. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2010, xiv, 297. ISBN 9780691122700. info
  • New models for ecosystem dynamics and restoration. Edited by R. J. Hobbs - Katharine N. Suding. Washington: Island Press, 2009, xii, 352. ISBN 9781597261852. info
  • Něco překrásného se končí : kolapsy v přírodě a společnosti. Edited by Petr Pokorný - Miroslav Bárta. 1. vyd. Praha: Dokořán, 2008, 255 s. ISBN 9788073631970. info
  • CAPRA, Fritjof. Tkáň života : nová syntéza mysli a hmoty. Translated by Jan Pokorný. Vyd. 1. Praha: Academia, 2004, 290 s. ISBN 8020011692. info
  • JØRGENSEN, Sven Erik and Jurij Michajlovič SVIREŽEV. Towards a thermodynamic theory for ecological systems. 1st ed. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2004, xiv, 366. ISBN 008044167X. info
  • MARŠÍK, František and Ivan DVOŘÁK. Biotermodynamika. Vyd. 2., upr. a rozš. Praha: Academia, 1998, 270 s. ISBN 8020006648. info
  • MÍCHAL, Igor. Ekologická stabilita. 2. rozš. vyd. Brno: Veronica, 1994, 275 s. ISBN 80-85368-22-6. info
Teaching methods
Education is performed as lectures with Powerpoint presentation. Understanding of mechanisms and consequences is emphasized. It is guided the discussion with students on selected issues related to ecological stability. Some phenomena are demonstrated.
Assessment methods
Attendance of the lectures is not mandatory but strongly recommended for complete understanding of the educated subjects. Final assessment takes the form of an oral exam where are with each student discussed three selected topics.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2015, autumn 2017.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2014, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/autumn2014/ENV014