Introduction to Polar Ecology - MB162P27
Title: Introduction to Polar Ecology
Czech title: Úvod do polární ekologie
Form of teaching: lecture
Guaranteed by: Department of Ecology (31-162)
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Actual: from 2022
Duration in semesters: 1
Semester: winter
E-Credits: 3
Examination process: winter s.:written
Hours per week, examination: winter s.:2/0, Ex [HT]
Capacity: unlimited
Maximum number of enrolled students: unlimited
Min. number of students: unlimited
4EU+: no
Virtual mobility / capacity: no
State of the course: taught
Language: English
Note: enabled for web enrollment
Guarantor: doc. RNDr. Linda Nedbalová, Ph.D.
prof. RNDr. Josef Elster, CSc.
Teacher(s): Mgr. Eva Hejduková, Ph.D.
Ing. Roman Juras, Ph.D.
doc. RNDr. Linda Nedbalová, Ph.D.
Mgr. Matěj Pokorný, Ph.D.
Opinion survey results   WS schedule   
Annotation -
Introduction to polar ecology presents a basic overview of environmental/biological diversity and adaptations of organisms to environmental conditions in polar ecosystems. It introduces all basic scientific disciplines involved in ecological research in polar regions. The lecturers have a long-term experience with field research both in the Arctic and Antarctic. Lectures will be available on Google Classroom.
Last update: Nedbalová Linda, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (24.01.2026)
Literature -

Avila-Jimenez ML et al. (2010) Overwintering of terrestrial Arctic arthropods: the fauna of Svalbard now and in the future. Polar Research 29: 127-137.
Beyer L. and Boelter M. (eds.) (2002) GeoEcology of Terrestrial Oases Ecological Studies, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg.
Callaghan TV et al. (2005) Arctic Tundra and Polar Desert Ecosystems 243 - 353. Arctic Climate Impact Assessment. Cambridge University Press pp. 1039.
Campbell B, Claridge GGC (1987) Antarctica: soils, weathering processes and environment. Cambridge.
Chapin, S.F. Jefferies, R.L. Raynolds J. Shaver, G.R and Svoboda J. (1992) Climatic Change and Arctic Ecosystem Response. The role of Ecophysiology. Academic Press 469 pp.
Crawford RMM (1989) Plant studies to survival. Blackwell Scientific Publications.
Crawford RMM (2008) Plants at the margins. Ecological limits and climatic change. Cambridge University press.
Davie T (2008) Fundamentals of hydrology. London : Routledge, 200 s.
DeWalle DR and Rango A (2008) Principles of Snow Hydrology, Cambridge University Press; 420 s.
Elias SA (Ed.) (2006) Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science.
Elverland E. (2008) The Arctic System. Norvegian Polar Institute, 203 pp.
Evans DJA and Benn DI (2004) A Practical Guide to the Study of Glacial Sediments. 266 pp.

Fogg GE (1998) The biology of polar habitats. OxfordUniversity Press, Oxford
French HM (2007) The Periglacial Environment. Third Edition. 478 pp. Wiley, Chichester
Friedmann EI (ed.) (1993) Antarctic microbiology. Wiley-Liss, NewYork
Fuller B, Lane N. and Benson EE (eds.) (2004) Life In The Frozen State. Taylor and Francis, London, pp. 111- 149.
Gale SJ, Hoare PG (1991) Quaternary Sediments. Petrographic Methods for the Study of Unlithified Rocks. 323 p., Belhaven, London
Gulliksen B. and Svensen E. (2004) Svalbard and Life in the Polar Oceans. Norvegian Polar Institute, 65 pp.
Hubbard B. and Glasser N. (2005) Field Techniques in Glaciology and Glacial geomorphology. 400 p., Wiley, ISBN 0-9544060-2-8, 608 pp
Kovac KM and Lydersen C. (2006) Birds and Mammals of Svalbard. Norvegian Polar Institute, 203 pp
Last WM et al. (2001) Tracking Environmental Change Using LakeSediments. Volume 3: Terrestrial, Algal, and Siliceous Indicators.
Last WM. Et al. (2001) Tracking Environmental Change Using LakeSediments. Volume 4: Zoological Indicators.
Moen FM. and Svensen E. (2004) Marine Fish & Invertebrates of Northern Europe KOM Forlag, 608 pp
Pielou EC (1992) After the Ice Age: The Return of Life to Glaciated North America. The University of Chicago Press.
Pielou EC (1994) Naturalists guide to the Arctic. The University of Chicago Press.
Singh P. (2001) Snow and Glacier Hydrology, Springer, 756 pp. 

Svoboda, J. and Freedman, B. (1994) Ecology of a polar oasis, Alexandra Fiord. Captus University Press. Toronto. 268 pp.
Tedrow JCF (1977) Soils of the polar landscapes. Rutgers University Press.
Tucker ME (2003) Sedimentary Rocks in the Field. Third Edition. 234 p., Wiley, Chichester.
Vincent WF (1988) Microbial ecosystem of Antarctica. Cambridge University Press,
Vincent WF, Laybourn-Parry J. (eds.) (2008) Polar Lakes and Rivers: Limnology of Arctic and Antarctic Aquatic Ecosystems. Oxford University Press.

Last update: Gáliková Kristýna, Mgr. et Mgr., DiS. (24.10.2025)
Course assessment methods and requirements for successful completion, grading scheme -

Written exam.

Last update: Nedbalová Linda, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (23.10.2019)
Syllabus -

  1. Introducton. Origins and evolution of polar regions. History of discovery, exploration and research in the polar regions.

  2. Glacial cycles (factors influencing changing of warm and cold periods), changes in oceanic and atmospheric circulation, origin and evolutions of glaciation in polar regions, proxy data from ice cores, fundamentals of glaciology and glacier typology, hydrological cycle.

  3. Polar climate (distribution and circulation of air masses, temperature and precipitation courses, ozone anomaly, microclimate and vegetation microclimate, climate change, methods of study of current and past climate).

  4. Rocks and soils (origins and evolution of periglacial environment, permafrost, active layer, ground ice, periglacial processes - regelation,  frost weathering, patterned ground, mass movements, influence of snow and vegetation, soil crusts, cryptoendolitic communities).

  5. Comparison of Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems (energy exchange between temperate zone and Arctic/Antarctic Region, dispersal of organism to newly deglaciated areas).

  6. Ecology of polar oceans and seas (ocean currents, polynias, Antarctic Divergence and Convergence, productivity of polar ocean ecosystem, benthic and pelagic assemblages, life in sea ice, primary and secondary producers of polar seas, parasites and symbionts of invertebrates and vertebrates).

  7. Freshwater ecosystems (lakes, seepages, creeks and streams, life on glacial surfaces, cryoconite, lake typology in polar regions and their evolution, food webs in polar lakes, comparison of Arctic and Antarctica).

  8. Cyanobacteria and algae and their adaptations to polar environment (dominant taxonomic groups in different habitats, adaptations to extreme environment, psychrophiles and psychrotrophs, endemism).

  9. Vascular plants and their adaptations to polar environment (tundra, tree line, length of vegetation period, polar desert, peatbogs, Antarctic plant communities, evolution of vegetation in postglacial period, phytogeography, morphological and physiological adaptations of plants).

  10. Animals and their adaptations to polar environment (overview of the main taxonomic groups of terrestrial, freshwater and sea fauna, metabolic and physiological adaptations, food pyramids, autochtonic and allochtonic nutrient sources, food web relationships).

  11. Vulnerability of polar nature and its legal protection (Antarctic Treaty, Svalbard Treaty - conservation principles in the Arctic and Antarctica).

  12. Organisation of research in polar regions. Arctic indigenous people.

Last update: Nedbalová Linda, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (24.01.2026)
Learning outcomes

KNOWLEDGE

After completing the course, the student will be able to:

  1. Describe the origin and evolution of polar regions, including the role of glacial cycles, and palaeoclimatic evidence.
  2. Explain key processes shaping polar climate systems, oceanic and atmospheric circulation, and their past and present variability.
  3. Describe the structure and functioning of major polar ecosystems, including terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments.
  4. Explain biological adaptations of microorganisms, plants, and animals to extreme polar conditions.
  5. Compare Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems with respect to biogeography, productivity, and ecological interactions.
  6. Describe major anthropogenic pressures on polar ecosystems and the principles of their legal protection.

SKILLS
After completing the course, the student will be able to:

  1. Interpret ecological and environmental data from polar regions, including proxy records such as ice cores and biological indicators.
  2. Analyse ecological processes in polar ecosystems across spatial and temporal scales.
  3. Compare ecological patterns and adaptations between Arctic and Antarctic systems using case studies.
  4. Critically evaluate scientific literature and research approaches used in polar ecology.
  5. Apply interdisciplinary perspectives to the interpretation of polar ecological phenomena.

 

COMPETENCES
After completing the course, the student will be able to:

  1. Integrate physical and biological processes to understand the functioning of polar ecosystems as complex systems.
  2. Assess the vulnerability and resilience of polar ecosystems under ongoing and projected climate change.
  3. Communicate scientific knowledge about polar ecology clearly and accurately to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  4. Demonstrate awareness of ethical, legal, and logistical constraints of research in polar regions.
  5. Apply ecological principles learned in polar systems to broader questions in global ecology and environmental change.
Last update: Nedbalová Linda, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (25.01.2026)
The course does not include work placement