Die Anmeldung beginnt erst am 02.10.2026 um 08:00 Uhr. Sie endet am 12.10.2026 um 23:59 Uhr

If your registration for this course is successful you will registered automatically for the course Ecosystem functions and services - V (Victoria Temperton).

The registration is restricted to the following fields or courses of study:

• Leuphana Bachelor / Major Environmental and Sustainability Studies (bis Studienbeginn WiSe 25/26) / nur ab Semester 7
• Leuphana Bachelor / Major Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies (bis Studienbeginn WiSe 25/26) / nur ab Semester 5
• Leuphana Bachelor / Major Umweltwissenschaften (bis Studienbeginn WiSe 25/26) / nur ab Semester 5
• Leuphana Bachelor / Major Studium Individuale / nur ab Semester 3
• Leuphana Bachelor / Minor Studium Individuale / nur ab Semester 3
• Lehren und Lernen / Unterrichtsfach Biologie / nur ab Semester 5
• Lehren und Lernen / Unterrichtsfach Chemie / nur ab Semester 5

The module „Ecosystem functions and services“ comprises two parts: a set of lectures and a set of seminars. PLEASE REGISTER ONLY FOR THE LECTURES AND THEN YOU SHOULD BE AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERED FOR THE SEMINAR TOO.
The lectures will be introduce you to the global terrestrial biomes (from the tropical rainforest to the tundra), their most important ecosystems and their functions and services.

In the seminar, students will select one aspect of ecosystem functioning and services and present it to their fellow students for discussion. Each presentatation is based on one or two original scientific papers about biodiversity& ecosystem functions or biodiversity & ecosystem services . Overall the topics covered will show the diversity of perspectives and interpretations of the importance of biodiversity for how ecosystems function and the services they provide. We will mainly be focussing on large biodiversity-ecosystem functioning experiments such as the Jena Experiment, Cedar Creek or BEF China.

The module therefore includes discussions of important and up to date literature in the research field of ecosystem functioning and services. We will critically discuss the research findings in respect to their application in nature conservation and ecological restoration. You will learn the main characteristics of the global terrestrial and aquatic biomes and the environmental variables shaping them, and the ecological theories that can be tested in them.

Qualifikationsziele:
Professional skills
You will also learn how natural sciences evaluate ecosystem functions such as herbivory, carbon sequestration, pest control, pollination, seed dispersal, seed predation and water retention to find out that inter- and transdisciplinary methods are needed to adequately evaluate, conserve or restore ecosystem services. The module therefore teaches basic ecological and applied knowledge necessary to understand sustainable use of ecosystems and their resources and to prioritize international conservation/restoration goals.

Methodenkompetenz:
Methodological skills
You will learn how to search for original scientific papers using Web of Science and google scholar including how to get in contact with international scientists if the paper is not easily available. You will learn how to present research findings in a given time period; this includes teaching of the “do and don’ts” in presentation techniques. You will learn to prepare and lead a scientific discussion and how to participate in such discussions. Finally, you will learn how to design an adequate handout of a predefined length. I am aiming to implement a field excursion to strengthen the learned knowledge and experience even if this is limited during the winter period.

Social skills
You will prepare an introduction to an aquatic ecosystem together with one or two fellow students. This requires (i) thematic emphasis and compilation of the main themes to form your presentation and (ii) discussions with other students and the lecturer. Participations in the discussions at lectures and seminars will be highly encouraged by the lecturer; students will learn to inspire short-spoken students to get integrated in discussions. You will learn an interdisciplinary set of professional terminology. You will lose your fear (if you have any) of applying another (most likely non-mother tongue) language while discussing with students and the lecturer.

Further information on teaching evaluation: https://www.leuphana.de/en/teaching/quality-management/evaluation/course-evaluation.html