NCHU Course Outline

Course Name	(中) 功能與譜系生態學(5114)
	(Eng.) Functional and Phylogenetic Ecology
Offering Dept	Department of Life Sciences
Course Type	Elective	Credits	3	Teacher	Ting-Wen Chen
Department	Department of Life Sciences/Undergraduate	Language	English	Semester	2026-FALL
Course Description	This interdisciplinary course focuses on the traits that species possess and contribute to ecosystem functioning, as well as those that are affected by natural selection processes. Trait ecology can help predict changes in community composition and species distributions in the face of global change. Phylogenetic ecology, on the other hand, integrates phylogenetic information into ecological studies to provide a more holistic perspective on biodiversity. The course covers basic concepts in trait ecology, including the utility of traits, plant traits in community dynamics, animal traits in trophic interactions, and microbial traits that provide ecosystem functioning. The course also discusses trait-based assembly processes in communities and the methods used to test for them. The use of phylogeny as a proxy for traits in community phylogenetics and as a backbone representing species pool formation is also discussed in the course. In addition, the course covers phylogenetic comparative methods, which are essential in the study of trait evolution.
Prerequisites				self-directed learning in the course	Y

Relevance of Course Objectives and Core Learning Outcomes(%)			Teaching and Assessment Methods for Course Objectives
Course Objectives	Competency Indicators	Ratio(%)	Teaching Methods	Assessment Methods
The course aims to help students understand the value and critique of trait-based and phylogenetic comparative approaches. Students will participate in group projects to apply what they have learned in the course to empirical case studies. By the end of the course, students will have gained a thorough understanding of the relationships between biodiversity, ecology and evolution, and how trait and phylogenetic information can be used to improve ecological studies.			topic Discussion/Production Networking/Distance Education Discussion Lecturing	Written Presentation Attendance Oral Presentation Study Outcome Quiz
Course Content and Homework/Schedule/Tests Schedule
Week Course Content Week 1 Introduction Week 2 What are traits and why are they important? Week 3 Trait ecology of plants and community dynamics Week 4 Trait ecology of animals and trophic interactions Week 5 Microbial traits and ecosystem functioning Week 6 Trait-based assembly processes in communities – Metrics Week 7 Trait-based assembly processes in communities – Null models Week 8 Phylogenetics in ecology – Phylogeny as a proxy (community phylogenetics) Week 9 Phylogenetics in ecology – Phylogeny as a backbone (species pool formation) Week 10 Trait evolution and phylogenetic comparative methods Week 11 Traits and ecosystem functioning Week 12 Case studies in trait and phylogenetic ecology Week 13 Group project presentations I Week 14 Group project presentations II Week 15 Group project presentations III Week 16 Concluding remarks on functional and phylogenetic ecology self-directed learning    03.Preparing presentations or reports related to industry and academia. Students will analyze the data they collect and write essays based on the results of their analytical projects.
Evaluation
Written Presentation Attendance Oral Presentation Study Outcome Quiz
Textbook & other References
Handbook of Trait-Based Ecology – From Theory to R Tools. de Bello, F., C. P. Carmona, A. T. C. Dias, L. Götzenberger, M. Moretti and M. P. Berg. 2021. Cambridge University Press Phylogenetic Ecology – A History, Critique, and Remodeling. Swenson, N. G. 2019. The University of Chicago Press. Phylogenies in Ecology – A Guide to Concepts and Methods. Cadotte, M. W. and T. J. Davies. 2016. Princeton University Press Phylogenetic Comparative Methods in R. Revell, L. J. and L. J. Harmon. 2022. Princeton University Press Mixed and Phylogenetic Models: A Conceptual Introduction to Correlated Data. Ives, A. R. 2018. Leanpub Functional and Phylogenetic Ecology in R. Swenson, N. G. 2014. Springer Analysis of Phylogenetics and Evolution with R. Paradis, E. 2012. Springer Modern Phylogenetic Comparative Methods and Their Application in Evolutionary Biology. Geramszegi, L. Z. eds. 2014. Springer The Comparative Method in Evolutionary Biology. Harvey, P. H. and M. D. Pagel. 1991. Oxford University Press
Teaching Aids & Teacher's Website
https://soilphylo.mystrikingly.com
Office Hours
Arranged with the lecturer
Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs(Link URL)
include experience courses：N

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Update Date, year/month/day：2026/07/15 19:01:46	Printed Date, year/month/day：2026 / 8 / 18
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