Back to selection
11569-01 - Lecture: African Ecology (2 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Every 2nd fall sem. |
| Lecturers | Johanna von Holdt (johanna.vonholdt@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Africa is characterised by rich ecological diversity with unique ecoregions and ecosystems, including rainforests, savannas, deserts, montane regions, and coastal and freshwater systems. Each of these ecoregions, and the ecosystems that they consist of, have been shaped by various factors, including climate, topography, geology and soil types, ecological interactions and human influences. This lecture series will explore the physical geography and ecology of Africa and will be given in one 2-hour online introductory lecture, a two-week block with a 2-hour in-person lecture each day (nine out of 10 days). |
| Learning objectives | This course will look at the historical and contemporary geological and geomorphological processes that formed and continue to shape Africa. We will explore the key ecological principles and then move on to the ecoregions that characterise the diverse African landscape, including deserts (both the largest and oldest deserts are found in Africa); tropical and sub-tropical forests; tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas and shrublands; Mediterranean forests, woodlands and scrub; and mangroves. We will then discuss the relationship between humans and the natural systems on the African continent with particular focus on land degradation, conservation, climate change and food security. |
| Weblink | Physiogeographie und Umweltwandel |
| Language of instruction | German |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block | See individual dates | ||
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 08.09.2025 | 09.15-17.00 | Geographie, Hörsaal 5-01 |
| Tuesday 09.09.2025 | 09.15-17.00 | Geographie, Hörsaal 5-01 |
| Wednesday 10.09.2025 | 09.15-17.00 | Geographie, Hörsaal 5-01 |
| Thursday 11.09.2025 | 09.15-17.00 | Geographie, Hörsaal 5-01 |
| Friday 12.09.2025 | 09.15-17.00 | Geographie, Hörsaal 5-01 |
| Modules |
Modul: Fachkompetenz Globaler Wandel (Master's degree subject: Geography) Module: Basics: Environment (Master's degree program: African Studies) Module: Fields: Environment and Development (Master's degree program: African Studies) Module: Landscape Systems (Master's Studies: Geosciences) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | written exam, 2h, |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,5 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Science, studiendekanat-philnat@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Geowissenschaften |