Loïc Pellissier: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016

Name Prof. Dr. Loïc Pellissier
FieldLandscape Ecology
Address
Ökosysteme u. Landschaftsevolution
ETH Zürich, CHN F 29.2
Universitätstrasse 16
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 32 03
E-mailloic.pellissier@usys.ethz.ch
DepartmentEnvironmental Systems Science
RelationshipAssociate Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
701-0553-00LLandscape Ecology Information 3 credits2GF. Kienast, L. Pellissier
AbstractThe course is an introduction to Landscape Ecology and Landscape Modelling and provides various practical applications of Landscape Ecology in nature and landscape management.
ObjectiveThe students are able
- to explain and apply the concepts and methods of landscape analysis using examples,
-to explain causes and effects of changes in landscape using examples and simulations,
- to describe practical applications of Landscape Ecology in the management of nature and landscape.
ContentContents of the lecture:
- important terms and concepts of Landscape Ecology,
- analysis of landscape pattern (metrics),
- landscape modelling,
- perception of landscapes,
- landscape inventories used for nature and landscape protection.
Lecture notesThere is no script. Slides and other materials are provided on Moodle.
LiteratureMaster students seeking recognition of this course in the Bologna process have to show adequate knowledge of the landscape ecology topics described above and have to read selected chapters of

****Landscape Ecology in Theory and Practice, M. G. Turner, R. H. Gardner and R. V. O'Neill, Springer-Verlag.

Introduction, chapter 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10
Prerequisites / NoticeThis lecture uses the flipped classroom concept. Students acquire major parts of the knowledge self-paced on the Moodle platform. Contact hours (approx. every 2nd week) deepen and complement the content with additional case studies, examples and discussions.
It is advantageous but not required to have some GIS knowledge for this lecture and the practical 'Praktikum Wald und Landschaft' (spring semester) which is loosely linked with this lecture.
701-1679-00LSpatial Modelling: From Climate & Land Use Change to Biodiversity Conservation5 credits3UL. Pellissier, N. Zimmermann
AbstractThe course provides the student with the spatial tools to address societal challenges toward ensuring the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and the conservation of biodiversity. Students learn theory, tools and models during a few introductory sessions and apply this knowledge to solve a practical problem in groups related to climate change, land use change and biodiversity conservation.
ObjectiveStudents learn:
- Theoretical foundations of the species ecological niche
- Biodiversity concepts and global change impacts
- Basic concepts of spatial (& macro-) ecology
- Environmental impact assessment and planning
- Advanced statistical methods (GLM, GAM, CART) and basic programming (loops, functions, advanced scripting) in the statistical environment R.
- The use of GIS functionality in R
Content1. The basics:
Introduction to the concept of the ecological niche, and biodiversity theories. Overview of the knowledge on expected biodiversity response to global changes and conservation planning methods.
Introduction to the statistical methods of Generalized Linear (GLM) and Generalized Additive models (GAM), and Classification and Regression Trees (CART). Introduction to basic GIS and programming elements in the statistical environment R.
2. The class project:
Students form groups of two, and each group solves a series of applied questions independently in R using the techniques taught in the introductory classes. The students then prepare a presentation and report of the obtained results that will be discussed during a mini-symposium. Each team choses one of the following topics for the class project:
a) Linking climate change velocities to species' migration capacities
b) Explaining and modelling land use change in Switzerland
c) Explaining and modelling biodiversity changes in Switzerland
d) Designing biodiversity conservation strategies under global changes.
Prerequisites / NoticeBasic knowledge in statistics (OLS regression, test statistics), and basic knowledge in geographic information science.