Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functions
- Faculty
Faculty of Agricultural Science and Landscape Architecture
- Version
Version 1 of 22.08.2025.
- Module identifier
44M0568
- Module level
Master
- Language of instruction
English
- ECTS credit points and grading
5.0
- Module frequency
only summer term
- Duration
1 semester
- Brief description
This course addresses the different levels of biodiversity with a main focus on the diversity of species and ecosystems. Ecosystem functions and ecosystem services will be analysed and evaluated for different landscapes and ecosystem types.
The course starts with introductory lectures and seminars. During the vegetation period, field work with identification of species (plants and selected animal species groups) and habitat types will be carried out. The collected data will be analysed, described and discussed taking into account the actual scientific literature.
- Teaching and learning outcomes
What is biodiversity?
What are ecosystem functions and ecosystem services in different types of landscapes?
Relations between biodiversity and ecosystem services
How can biodiversity and ecosystem services be protected?
Practical part with field work, data analysis and scientific evaluation and discussion
- Overall workload
The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").
- Teaching and learning methods
Lecturer based learning Workload hours Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 10 Seminar - 20 Practice - Lecturer independent learning Workload hours Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 35 Presentation preparation - 30 Work in small groups - 20 Study of literature - 35 Creation of examinations -
- Graded examination
- Oral presentation, with written elaboration or
- Homework / Assignment or
- oral exam
- Ungraded exam
- Regular participation
- Remark on the assessment methods
Main examination type:
scientific talk and report
regular participation in the course
Deviations from this will be announced in the first four weeks after the start of lectures.
- Exam duration and scope
talk and report: ca. 20–30 minute presentation with 5–10 page written analysis
- Recommended prior knowledge
Basic knowledge in ecology.
- Knowledge Broadening
Students who have studied this module successfully have knowledge about different aspects of biodiversity, ecosystem functions and ecosystem services.
- Knowledge deepening
Students are able to do scientific literature research as a basis. They are able to analyse species diversity in different landscapes and ecosystem types and to evaluate the results of their assessment.
- Knowledge Understanding
Students are able to interprete both, literature data and data they collected during their field work taking into account the background of the international scientific knowledge about the respective subject.
- Application and Transfer
Students who have completed this course successfully are able to transfer their knowledge and methodological competences concerning biodiversity and ecosystem functions to study and evaluate other landscapes and ecosystem types.
- Academic Innovation
The students know the actual scientific literature and are able to formulate own research questions in order to analyse biodiversity and ecosystem functions in new contexts.
- Communication and Cooperation
Students are able to communicate about biodiversity and ecosystem functions at a scientific level.
- Academic Self-Conception / Professionalism
Students are able to use the scientific terminology as well as to present their research results in front of different stakeholder groups.
- Literature
Gaston K.J. & Spicer J.I. (2004): Biodiversity: An introduction. 2nd. Ed. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford.
IPBES (2019): Global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. E. S. Brondizio, J. Settele, S. Díaz, and H. T. Ngo (editors). IPBES secretariat, Bonn, Germany. 1148 pages. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3831673
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005): Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Synthesis. Island Press, Washington, DC. Download at: www.millenniumassessment.org/en/Synthesis.html
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005. Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Biodiversity Synthesis. World Resources Institute, Washington, DC. www.millenniumassessment.org/documents/document.354.aspx.pdf
- Applicability in study programs
- Land Use Transformation
- Land Use Transformation M.Sc. (01.03.2026)
- Person responsible for the module
- Vogel, Sebastian
- Further lecturer(s)
N. N.