Integrative Ecology of the Central Andes

The course starts with an introduction into basic concepts of ecology and then focuses on the presentation and analysis of some representative Central Andean ecosystems with a special emphasis on biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services. Another focus of the course is the current and past anthropogenic influence on these ecosystems and the analysis of how human activities changed the Andean ecosystems. Finally large scale problems such as climate change and related impacts on the water cycle in Andean ecosystems will be discussed.