Home - Search by Faculty - By teacher - By course


BIOL0516-1

Ecology and Biodiversity

[ version française ]

Duration :130h Th, 5d FW
Credits/ECTS :
3rd year of a Bachelor's degree in biological sciences14
Holder(s) :Monique Carnol, Emmanuel Sérusiaux, Jean‑Pierre Thomé, Pierre Vandewalle
Course contents : This course investigates essential aspects in the study of biodiversity and ecology:

Biodiversity:

Biodiversity sensu stricto will be studied by the observation of arthropods (arachnids and hexapods) and two main plant groups (bryophytes and angiosperms). The species concept will be investigated within the frame of essential paradigms (empirism, positivism, post-positivism), in order to define its uses and limits. Life history (phylogeny) will be explained by means of examples within the animal and plant kingdoms and main theories of evolutionary biology will be presented.

Ecology

Based on the notions explored during the 2nd bachelier, concepts of energy flux and biogeochemical cycles will be reviewed with active student participation. This review will be followed by a discussion on methods used in ecological research and a field visit of a long term ecosystem study site. Population and community ecology will be illustrated by concepts of interspecific competition, and demographic strategies. The 'biodiversity' section of this course will provide essential information allowing students to establish the link with the concepts dealt with in community ecology. Community and ecosystem ecology will be illustrated by in-depth study of freshwaters (hydrobiology, limnology, characterisation of communities, pollution) and soils. The role of microorganismes in biogeochemical cycles and their localisation will be investigated in the microbial ecology part of the course.



The course will be completed by a 5 day trip to the Scientific Station of Rennes University (Paimpont, Brittany), and practicals on the characterisation of soils and waters.
Course objective :
  • Gaining good knowledge on the biodiversity of arachnids, hexapods, bryophytes and angiosperms, by field and laboratory observations,
  • in-depth understanding of fundamental concepts in ecology (population, community ecosystem levels) and their application to animals, plants and micro-organisms,
  • comprehend the complexity of ecosystems, the importance of ecological factors in controlling populations and communities and the importance of microbiological processes,
  • integration of the species concept, the evolutionary theories and life history or phylogeny,
  • observation of ecological processes in the field and in the laboratory and gain knowledge on methods frequently used in ecology and biodiversity studies.
Prerequisites : As ecology is an integrative science, concepts of physics, chemistry and biochemistry should be well understood. Basic concepts in ecology (in particular those introduced in the course of the 2nd candidature in biological sciences).
Workshops : The course will be completed by a 5 day trip to the Scientific Station of Rennes University (Paimpont, Brittany), and practicals on the characterisation of soils and waters.
Organization : Timetable (to be confirmed)

First quadrimester: Tuesday: 9-12.30, Wednesday: 8.45-10.15

Second quadrimester: Friday 8.45-10.15 (first 5 weeks)

8.45-12.15 (8 following weeks)

Afternoons during two weeks

One week at the end of the quadrimester (field trip)



The presence at theory lessons and practicals is compulsory. The participation at the field trip is essential to be allowed to present the final exam.



Most theoretical lectures consist of presentation with power point, video or slide support. Team or individual assignments will be organised.

During the first quadrimester ecology (theory; M.Carnol, J.-P. Thomé) and biodiversity of arachnids and hexapods (P. Vandewalle). will be studied. The second quadrimester will be devoted to the staudy of plant biodiversity (E.Sérusiaux), the field trip and practicals.
Written notes : Lecture notes will be made available during the year. Power point presentations will be available as pdf files. Additional information can be obtained from reference books available in the respective research units.
Assessment : Evaluation consists of :

  • A written interrogation on the first theoretical part of the course (ecology); with exemption on this if successful
  • An appreciation of the student's participation during the field trip. Each student will have to provide a report.
  • An appreciation of the student's participation during practicals. Each student will have to provide a report.
  • An oral exam (with written preparation) on theory (exemption for 'ecology' if applicable) and topics studied during the field trip and practicals.
Contacts : Laboratoire d'écologie animale et d'écotoxicologie, Institut de Chimie, Bât. B6c, Allée du 6 août, 15, 4000 Liège, Belgique.

· Prof. Jean-Pierre Thomé : Tél. 04/366.50.60./62 ; Fax. 04/366.51.47 ; E-mail : JP.Thome@ulg.ac.be

· Dr Célia Joaquim-Justo : Tél. 04/366.50.76 ; Fax 04/366.51.47 ; E-mail : celia.Joaquim-Justo@student.ulg.ac.be

Laboratoire d'Ecologie Végétale et Microbienne, Institut de Botanique, Bât. B22, Boulevard du Rectorat, 27, 4000 Liège, Belgique (Parking 70, 3ème étage)

· Prof. Monique Carnol : Tel. 04/3663845 (bureau) ; Tel./fax. 04/3663817 (laboratoire), E-mail : m.carnol@ulg.ac.be

Taxonomie végétale et biologie de la conservation, Bât. B22, Boulevard du Rectorat, 27, 4000 Liège, Belgique (Parking 70, 3ème étage)

· Prof. Emmanuel Sérusiaux : Tel. 04/3663869 ; Fax. 04/3663940 ; E-mail: E.Serusiaux@ulg.ac.be

· Secrétariat d'aCREA: Mme Françoise Laruelle : Tel. 04/366 38 68; E-mail: acrea@ulg.ac.be

Morphologie fonctionnelle et évolutive, Institut de Chimie, Bât. B6c, Allée de la Chimie, 3 4000 Liège, Belgique

· Prof. Pierre Vandewalle Tél : +32 4 3665040 Email : P.Vandewalle@ulg.ac.be
Remarks : This course is still in preparation. Detailed, updated information will be available at the beginning of the academic year 2006-2007.




ULg : Students and Studies Administration - Academic Affairs
Contact : Monique Marcourt, direction A.E.E.
Date of data : 18/05/2007
Developed by SEGI