Relevant courses organized or co-organized by team members

The course provides a basic overview of the importance of forests to the Earth’s climate system, water runoff from the landscape, biodiversity, and the economy. We highlight basic ecological processes that determine forest dynamics, with particular emphasis on the role of forest disturbances. At the individual tree level, tree-environment interactions and the main factors influencing tree growth and transpiration will be stressed. In addition, the major forest types on Earth (forest biomes) will be discussed. We will also address forest management issues and the history of human impact on forests.

Teacher(s)*: Václav Treml, Jan Tumajer

Language: English

Semester: Summer

ECTS: 3

The goal of the course is to teach students the basic principles of using the programming languages R and Python in Physical Geography. Through selected exercises, students will learn and practice the most common principles of data analysis typical of Physical Geography applications, such as working with large data sets (time series, spatial data), their basic statistical analysis (correlation, regression, trends in time series, interpolation) and visualization. The course focuses on 1) assessment and statistical analysis of hydrological and climatological data, 2) modeling of selected hydrological processes, 3) regression models (linear, nonlinear, mixed-effects), 4) methods for quantifying spatial autocorrelation, 5) processing of rasters with climatic time series, and 6) use of Python in remote sensing. The “Coding Club” will allow students to discuss their own data and codes used for their theses with the instructors.

Teacher(s)*: Jan Tumajer

Language: English

Semester: Summer

ECTS: 3

The lectures introduce the basic principles of dendrochronology and their application in the field of Physical Geography. Special emphasis is given to macroscopic and microscopic tree-ring analysis, sampling, preparation and analysis of wood cores. The course combines theoretical lectures with a practical component involving fieldwork, laboratory work, and statistical dendroclimatological analysis.

Teacher(s)*: Václav Treml, Jan Tumajer

Language: Czech

Semester: Winter

ECTS: 4

The lecture describes the most important chapters related to the environment of the Czech Republic, including 1) history and development, 2) water quality development and resources of water pollution, 3) air quality and air pollution, 4) environmental changes due to extraction of mineral resources, 5) forestry and forest damage, 6) waste economy and management and production of waste, 7) landscape changes, 8) nature and landscape protection, 9) environmental damage and its impact on the health of the human population, 10) environmental legislation, and 11) specific regional environmental problems.

Teacher(s)*: Václav Treml

Language: Czech

Semester: Summer

ECTS: 4