Florian Knaus: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2021
| Name | Mr Florian Knaus |
| Address | Inst. f. Terrestrische Oekosysteme ETH Zürich, CHN G 75.1 Universitätstrasse 16 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 632 39 87 |
| florian.knaus@env.ethz.ch | |
| URL | http://www.ecology.ethz.ch/people/person-detail.html?persid=101862 |
| Department | Environmental Systems Science |
| Relationship | Lecturer |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 701-0310-00L | Conservation Biology  | 2 credits | 2G | F. Knaus | |
| Abstract | In this course, the students explore ecological approaches, philosophical foundations, and practical implementations of conservation activities. Based on case studies, they are introduced to different views, values and ideals inherent in these activities. | ||||
| Objective | Students of this course are able to: - understand the historical development and the current state of biodiversity and estimate possible future trends - explain the economic legal, political and philosophical foundations of conservation activities - define different possibilities of how conservation can be implemented in practice - identify and critically appraise normative elements in conservation - analyse and evaluate a nature conservation project from conception to successful completion. | ||||
| Content | The course covers the following content: - Describe and analyse the past, current and future human impacts on biodiversity. - Explore alternative approaches to nature conservation and their implementation for example species or habitat protection, restorations, parks, etc. - Discuss the ethical, moral, legal, and economic reasons for conservation. - Understand the main theories relevant to conservation such as the vulnerability of small populations, ecosystem services, biodiversity, etc. - Explore practical examples during excursions and provide an analysis and evaluation of concrete case studies. | ||||
| Lecture notes | Kein Skript | ||||
| Literature | Küster H. 1999: Geschichte der Landschaft in Mitteleuropa. Von der Eiszeit bis zur Gegenwart. Beck, München, Germany. 424p. Piechocki R. 2010: Landschaft, Heimat, Wildnis. Schutz der Natur - aber welcher und warum? Beck'sche Reihe, Beck, München, Germany. 266p. Primack R.B. 2008: A primer of Conservation Biology. Fourth Edition. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland MA, USA. 349p. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Kenntnisse aus den folgenden LV sind vorausgesetzt: - Allgemeine Biologie I - Allgemeine Biologie II - Biologie III: Ökologie - Biologie IV: Diversität der Pflanzen und Tiere | ||||
| 701-1692-00L | Applied Forest and Landscape Management Lab  | 5 credits | 8P | F. Knaus, H. Bugmann, M. Lévesque, L. Pellissier, S. Tobias | |
| Abstract | Capstone course in which students solve complex real-world land-use problems, for which there is no single correct solution. Students work in project teams and take the role of consultants. They integrate the knowledge acquired during their previous studies and deepen their analysis, judgment and writing skills. | ||||
| Objective | The project-based learning context aims at developing and sharpening the following skills: - to autonomously solve a real-world problem from the project assignment to the presentation of results, - to autonomously develop a suitable approach to solve the questions of the project - to apply, integrate and adapt knowledge and skills from different disciplines, - to adequately use methods and tools to analyse data. | ||||
| Content | Each student group is working on a case-study, which is based on a specific problem defined by cantonal authorities. Students are searching information from literature and databases, develop appropriate approaches, gather own data, analyze (geo)data and write a coherent report. Original plans and source documents are available in their original language. Students follow and adapt a systematic problem solving cycle, consisting of: - capturing and formulation of the problem, goal and scope definition - capturing of the actual system state - developing a methodological approach that delivers the results required to solve the problems or questions - evaluating possible solutions and/or scenarios - solution proposal and recommendation to decision-makers | ||||