Learning Objectives: Module aim is an advanced knowlegde of theories and methods in vegetation science, vegetation mapping and vegetation monitoring. Students will be introduced to the full spectrum of historical and modern approaches in vegetation science. The lecture offers fundamentals for and bridging concepts to experimental community ecology, plant functional trait research, disturbance ecology, restoration ecology, ecosystem and landscape ecology, nature conservation, remote sensing and vegetation based ecosystem service analysis. Theory will be connected with practical experience in plant determination during various floristic field excursions.

Course Content: Contents of the module are current approaches in vegetation science, in vegetation mapping and in monitoring changes in vegetation pattern and dynamics. Student will develop an understanding of the functional characterization of habitats and of scale dependence in vegetation ecology. They will develop the ability to recognize the role of disturbance regimes for vegetation dynamics and develop an understanding of data processing requirements for linking vegetation ground data with remote
sensing derived information. Thus, students will become familiar with different theories and methods of collecting and evaluating data in plant ecology.