Ecosystem Services in Agroecosystems

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

PPT, computer exercises.

Learning Outcomes

Students of this module will be able to comprehend and critically reflect the value of ecosystem services in agroecosystems.

They will be able to evaluate the best sampling techniques for different taxa of service providers, use dichotomous keys for the identification of arthropod providers, curate specimens properly and apply different techniques for the quantification of different ecosystem service common in agroecosystems. Students will be capable of describing service provider’s lifecycles and adaptations (morphological and behavioral), habitat requirements and their ecological roles and interactions within agroecosystems as a basis for their effective management.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Lecture: The lecture addresses the ecological and economical value of ecosystem services in agroecosystems. Further, the lecture provides insight on how local and landscape scale factors (e.g., management intensity, landscape configuration) interact with ecosystem services and how agroecosystems can be managed to maximize services. Life cycles and feeding biology of the most important ecosystem service providers will be discussed. Different methodologies will be introduced on how to monitor these providers and on how to assess their contributions. The lecture further includes an introduction in the use of identification tools and keys. Exercise: The exercise includes the monitoring of activity density, species composition and efficiency of ecosystem providers in agricultural landscapes by using a variety of sampling and observational methods. Further, students will learn to use dichotomous keys to identify arthropod species, which are relevant ecosystem service providers. 

Head Lecturer(s)

José Paulo Filipe Afonso de Sousa

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Other: 100.0%

Bibliography

Schulze E-D & Mooney HA (Eds.) (1994) Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function. Springer Lovett GM et al. (Eds.) (2005) Ecosystem

Function in Heterogeneous Landscapes. Springer Loreau M et al. (Eds.) (2002) Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning.

Synthesis and Perspectives. Oxford Naeem S et al. (Eds.) (2009) Biodiversity, Ecosystem Functioning & Human Wellbeing.

Oxford Kareiva P et al. (Eds.) Natural Capital. Theory and Practice of Mapping Ecosystem Services. Oxford