Seminar: Island biogeography & the theory of biodiversity (28321)

WS 2006/2007


Andreas Gohlke, Gerald Jurasinski

Island biogeography become after the development of the theory of islands notably by MacArthur and Wilson (1967) to one of the theoretically established approaches in ecology. Besides the reflexion of specific conditions on islands and the consequences on population ecology and speciation, the transfer of states and findings related to islands for miscellaneous habitats and for landscape biodiversity will be discussed.

We will further discuss the theoretical fundamentals of biodiversity research and introduce the hotspots of biodiversity (world/europe & germany). Furthermore we talk about topics related to the loss of biodiversity on a global and regional scale and about the latest questions in biodiversity research (like specific ecosystem functions and ecosystem services with regards to [bio]diversity). Also biodiversity as a normative value in nature conservation will be analyzed.

Content