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| ENVT2023-1 | Management of freshwater fish populations
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| Duration : | 12h Th, 3d FW |
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| Credits/ECTS : |
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| Holder(s) : | Michaël Ovidio |
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| Language : | Langue française |
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| Course contents : | Over the course of the last few decades, the continental aquatic ecosystems have suffered innumerable disturbances caused by human activity. Water quality has declined, changes in areas of the land caused by urbanization and agriculture have increased total water runoff, and the response time of watercourses has been shortened. Watercourses have been heavily re-channeled and artificially controlled. Dams have been built to control water flow, to improve navigation, and to produce hydro-electricity. At the same time global climate change is becoming increasingly evident, and it will probably cause changes in the thermal characteristics of fresh water bodies. Populations of fresh-water fish (important because they are part of our natural heritage, our natural ecology, and because of the importance of fishing) have been seriously affected by all these events, and in some cases we have seen their number seriously reduced, even to the point of local or general extinction of certain species. Developing countries, in which the greatest portion of fish biodiversity is located, are particularly at risk from over-exploitation of fish resources and the introduction on a massive scale of non-native species. In order to make possible a sustainable level of fish biodiversity, it is necessary to manage fish populations such that fish populations are maintained at a sustainable level, and an acceptable level of ecological function for the present-day economic and social context is re-established. |
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| Course objective : | The course will begin with instruction regarding general theoretical notions about biology and behavioral ecology for fresh-water fish, allowing each student to better understand the many biologically dysfunctional aspects caused by the disturbance of aquatic ecosystems, including the reduction of the size of existing fish populations. The methods and technological tools employed by scientists and/or managers involved in this area in the effort to conserve fresh-water fish populations over the long term will be presented in the second part of the course. Visits to experiment stations will allow students to connect the theoretical concepts they have learned to the practical realities encountered in the field. The instruction in the course is intended to be very concrete and richly illustrated with examples, still leaving a lot of room for discussion, so that students from different backgrounds can share their experiences. |
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| Prerequisites : | Mastery of the French language. |
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| Workshops : | - Observation of migratory movements.
- Electronic inventory of fish stocks.
- Techniques of marking fish.
- Biotelemetry. |
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| Organization : | In consultation with students, three principal activities are anticipated :
1) Theoretical classes and/or seminars.
2) Field trips and visits to particular sites.
3) Active class participation and work helping with scientific activities. |
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| Written notes : | PowerPoint slide shows to be used in class are available. |
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| Assessment : | Oral examination + grading on participation in in-class work and activities. |
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| Contacts : | Dr Michaël OVIDIO
Unité de Biologie du Comportement
Laboratoire de Démographie des Poissons et d'Hydroécologie
Tel: + 32 (0)85 27 41 57
Email : M.Ovidio@ulg.ac.be |
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