Study Programmes 2015-2016
OCEA0057-7  
Marine Ecology
  • Marine ecology
  • Introduction to marine ecosystems modelling
Duration :
Marine ecology : 15h Th, 6d FW
Introduction to marine ecosystems modelling : 15h Th, 15h Pr
Number of credits :
Master in oceanography (120 ECTS) (MER)6
Lecturer :
Marine ecology : Sylvie Gobert, Mathieu Poulicek
Introduction to marine ecosystems modelling : Marilaure Grégoire
Coordinator :
Sylvie Gobert
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
Marine ecology
The ocean is the largest biome on the biosphere, and the place where life first evolved. Life in a viscous fluid, such as seawater, imposed particular constraints on the structure and functioning of ecosystems, impinging on all relevant aspects of ecology, including the spatial and time scales of variability, the dispersal of organisms, and the connectivity between populations and ecosystems.
The Marine Ecology is the scientific study of marine-life habitat, populations, and interactions among organisms and the surrounding environment including their abiotic and biotic features.
Marine ecology is a subset of the study of marine biology and includes observations at the biochemical, cellular, individual, and community levels as well as the study of marine ecosystems and the biosphere.
The course of Marine Ecology provides an introduction to ecology focuses on specific marine ecological concept, covering interactions between marine organisms and the environment at scales of populations, communities, and ecosystems.
Outline contents


  • Introduction
  • General concepts in ecology applied to marine ecology: definitions, ecological factors, production, productivity, trophic webs, interspecific relations, competition, predation, zonation of organisms,...
  • Ecology of the some marine communities: abyssal zones, coral reefs, vents, seagrass
  • A case study: the Mediterranean Sea (this bassin is ideal to understand the basic concepts in Marine ecology (colonization, climax, invasive species...)
Introduction to marine ecosystems modelling
CHAPTER 1 Introduction

  • What is a model?
  • Why do we need models?
CHAPTER 2 Model formulation

  • Conceptual model
  • Mathematical model formulation
  • Formulation of ecological interactions
  • Chemical reactions
  • Inhibition
  • Coupled model equations
  • Impact of physical conditions
CHAPTER 3 Spatial components

  • Taonomy of spatial models
  • Spatial boundary conditions
  • Example: competitive interactions in a lattice model
CHAPTER 4 Parameterisation

  • In situ measurement
  • Literature-Derived parameters
  • Calib_ters.43
CHAPTER 5 Model solution

  • Initial conditions
  • Analytical solutions of differential equations
  • Numerical solution of differential equations
  • Steady-state and stability analysis
CHAPTER 6 Testing and validating the model

  • Dimensional homogeneity and consistency of units
  • Conservation of energy and mass
  • Testing the correctness of the model solution
  • Testing the internal logic of the model
  • Model verification
  • Model validity
  • Model sensitivity
  • Example_74
  • Example of the conservation principle: a mass budget of a marine bay
CHAPTER 7 Taxonomy of ecological models

  • Strategic versus tactic models
  • Continuous and discrete time models
  • Deterministic and stochastic models
  • Density-biomass specific models
  • Physiological - individual-based - population - ecosystem models
  • Example: growth of a Daphnia individual
CHAPTER 8 Appendices

  • Taxonomy of differential equations
  • Solving difference equations
CHAPTER 9 Books for further reading
Learning outcomes of the course :
Marine ecology
The course will
  • give a basic knowledge of ecological characteristics and processes in the marine environment.
  • show the importance, complexity and fragile aspects of different types of marine habitats.
The student will


  • be abble to explain the factors that determine the spatial and temporal distributions and abundance populations and communities of marine organisms in relation with biotic and abiotic factors.
  • be abble to apply ecological principles
  • be abble to work constructively both independently and collaboratively and communicate effectively about Marine Ecology (issues and ideas) using language that can be understood by the public and scientists.
  • use some methods applied in marine ecology during the field trip.
  • develop ability to collect, analyse and interpret marine ecological data.
Introduction to marine ecosystems modelling
The main aim of this course is to learn how to conceptualize, parameterize and implement mathematical models of marine biogeochemical processes
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Marine ecology
A  basic knowledge of the concepts in ecology
Introduction to marine ecosystems modelling
None. The mathematics used will be quiet elementary
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Marine ecology
  • Lectures and sessions of discussion
  • A field trip on Corsica at STARESO
Introduction to marine ecosystems modelling
The half part of the time will be devoted to the implementation of very simple examples in order to get familliar with models implementation
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Marine ecology
Courses in face-to-face.
The attention of the student is regularly requested during tutorial classes.
Field trip at STARESO (Calvi-Corse)
Introduction to marine ecosystems modelling
1.5 ECTS : theory
1.5 ECTS : Exercises
Recommended or required readings :
Marine ecology
The ppt constitute the basis of the course, they contain the essential information and not all of the oral comments given during the course.
The ppt are accessible on myUlg or given at the end of each course. The ppts, videos, articles are in English, the whole course is given in English.
Introduction to marine ecosystems modelling
Available
Assessment methods and criteria :
Marine ecology
The evaluation is based on 2 parts:
1. An oral exam (after a preparation with ppts). (70 % of the total score) (2 questions).
The student can answer in english or in french
2. A practical exam (30 % of the total score) at the end of the field trip.
Introduction to marine ecosystems modelling
Evaluated practicle work
Work placement(s) :
Marine ecology
Field trip During the field trip (station STARESO of the University of Liège- Calvi Corsica) the concepts to a practical study of the distribution of the marine organisms in relation to biotic and abiotique factors are applied in a pristine area.
These approaches are made in snorkelling, in scuba diving* followed by determinations under binocular, photographic documents taken by the student.
*not compulsory
Organizational remarks :
Marine ecology
  • Respect class times.
  • If you contact the secretary or the professor by e-mail,  do not expect the replies to be immediate. Please, be patient.
  • University-assigned student e-mail is the Official means of communication with all students.
Introduction to marine ecosystems modelling
None
Contacts :
Marine ecology
Prof Sylvie Gobert Océanologie Institut de Chimie. B6c-2/49 Tél: 04 3663329 e-mail:sylvie.gobert@ulg.ac.be                                       Secretariat M Lunetta: 04 366 50 62
Dr Mathieu Poulicek Unite d'Ecologie Marine, Laboratoire d'Ecologie animale et d'Ecotoxicologie Tél: 04 3665067 e-mail: mpoulicek@ulg.ac.be


  • Meeting with my secretary: Mrs Mariella Lunetta is in her office  (B6C, room 1/21 , Sart Tilman) the Tuesday from 8:30 -10:30 am and the Thursday from 13:30-15:00 pm.
  • Meeting with me: I will make time available during and directly after the classes for your questions. I rarely can be available for unscheduled meeting. To make appointment , call 04 366 50 62 (Mrs Lunetta) or send an email: M.Lunetta@ulg.ac.be.
  • My malbox is in the room 2/48.
We ask for your co-operation with these regulations.
Introduction to marine ecosystems modelling
Marilaure Grégoire, Laboratoire d'Océanologie, ULg
e-mail : mgregoire@ulg.ac.be
tel : 043663354