Island biogeography is the study of the distribution and dynamics of multiple species in insular environments. Due to their isolation from the mainland species, which have broader distributions, the species of isolated islands, provide unique opportunities for the evolution of new forms; at the same time most of global extinctions are recorded from islands. Island biogeography stems from the synthesis of many different scientific areas such as ecology, evolution, molecular biology, and behavioral biology.  

Primary aim of the course is to introduce the students to the principles of island biogeography. The course is structured in a way to acquaint students with the general patterns of biodiversity and the mechanisms establishing biodiversity on insular systems. Part of the course is devoted to the state-of-the art methods and tools used in the field. Central to the course is a field trip to an island group, in order the students to familiarize themselves main features of the system and the organisms present.

Knowledge: At the end of the course students should be able: a) to understand the fundamental patterns of island biogeography, b) to explain the mechanisms establishing the general patterns of island biodiversity, c) to identify the major threats of island life.

Skills: At the end of the course students should be able: a) to perform state-of-the art biogeographical analyses, b) to interpret their findings within a biogeographical framework, c) to recognize adaptations of organisms from island systems

Abilities: At the end of the course students should: a) master the theory related to island biogeography, b) synthesize the information stemming from the field trip 

Islands as Natural Laboratories - Island environments - The biogeography of island life: biodiversity hotspots in context - Species number games: the macroecology of island biotas - Community assembly and dynamics - Scale and island ecological theory: towards a new synthesis - Islands and Conservation - Adaptations of island life

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Prerequisite Courses: Ecology. Additionally, for the students to keep up with the terminology, theory and structure of the course, basic knowledge of Evolutionary Biology is necessary.

The course is offered to Erasmus students: Teaching in Greek language - Exams in English language.

The evaluation process is carried out in Greek language (there is the possibility in English for Erasmus students), with: a) Mandatory Group Presentation, b) Mandatory Group Reports and c) Laboratory Exercises Reports.

The total grade derives by adding the Presentation's grade (40%) and the Report’s grade (20%) and the Laboratory Exercises’ reports (40%).