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| BIOL0516-3 | Ecology and Biodiversity
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| Duration : | 125h Th |
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| Number of credits : |
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| Lecturer : | Monique Carnol, Bruno Frederich, Emmanuël Sérusiaux, Jean‑Pierre Thomé |
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| Coordinator : | Jean‑Pierre Thomé |
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Language(s) of instruction :
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| French language |
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Course contents :
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| 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 of the angiosperms from NW Europe. The species concept will be investigated within the framework of essential paradigms (empirism, positivism, post-positivism). Life history (phylogeny) will be explained by means of examples within the animal and plant kingdoms. The neodarwinian synthesis and a few theories of evolutionary biology will be presented, as well as the principles of chorology and ecogeography.
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. |
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Learning outcomes of the course :
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- Gaining good knowledge on the biodiversity of arachnids, hexapods, 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.
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Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :
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| 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). |
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Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
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| Lectures, practicals, field excursions |
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Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
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| Timetable available on the site of the Faculty of Sciences
The presence at lectures 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 (B. Frederich). will be studied. The second quadrimester will be devoted to the study of biodiversity (E.Sérusiaux), the field trip and practicals, incl. intensive identification of flowering plants (following the "Flore bleue" of J. Lambinon & al.). |
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Recommended or required readings :
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| Lecture notes will be made available during the year. Power point presentations will be available on-line. Additional information can be obtained from reference books available in the respective research units. |
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Assessment methods and criteria :
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| Evaluation consists of :
- An appreciation of the student's participation during the field trip.
- An appreciation of the student's participation during practicals.
- A written and/or oral exam on lecture material and on topics studied during the field trip and practicals.
A minimum of 10/20 for the whole course and at least 8/20 in each of the four parts are needed to pass. In case of a second session, the parts of the course for which 12/20 minimum has not been obtained need to be represented. In case of ajournment, the whole course 'écology and biodiversity' needs to be represented if the global score obtained is below 12/20. |
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Training(s) :
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| The course will be completed by a 6 day trip to the Scientific Station of Rennes University (Paimpont, Brittany), and practicals on the characterisation of soils and waters. |
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Contacts :
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| 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. 04/366.51.40 ; Fax 04/366.51.47 ; E-mail : celia.Joaquim-Justo@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
Dr. Sandrine Malchair : Tel. 04/3663866 (bureau) ; E-mail : s.malchair@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 : E-mail: E.Serusiaux@ulg.ac.be
· Secrétariat: Mme Françoise Laruelle : Tel. 04/366 38 68; E-mail: acrea@ulg.ac.be or FrancoiseJ.Laruelle@ulg.ac.be
Morphologie fonctionnelle et évolutive, Institut de Chimie, Bât. B6c, Allée de la Chimie, 3 4000 Liège, Belgique
· Dr. Bruno Frédérich. Tél : 04/366.51.33, Email : bruno.frederich@ulg.ac.be |
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