Duration
Urban Ecology : 12h Th, 12h Pr
Farming Basis : 20h Th, 4h AUTR
Forests and Forest Ecosystems : 24h Th
Number of credits
| Bachelor in landscape architect | 6 crédits | |||
| Master in landscape architect (120 ECTS) | 6 crédits |
Lecturer
Urban Ecology : Jan Bogaert
Farming Basis : Bernard Bodson, Guy Mergeai
Forests and Forest Ecosystems : Hugues Claessens, Jean-Louis Doucet
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Urban Ecology
The objective of the course is to introduce those concepts of ecology related to urban (eco)systems; to present an ecological and ecosystem-oriented vision on urban systems; to study urban centers as elements composing the landscape. The course is based on the principle that an urban zone can be considered as an introduced landscape patch and also an anthropogenic matrix. The theoretical courses are completed by individual or group exercises. Field trips (individual or guided) could be organized. The aim is to offer lectures which are conceptual and academic, and which enable the students to develop an original vision on the ecological functioning of urban landscapes based upon the concepts explained during the lectures. The contents of the course can change as a function of educational or scientific opportunities or constraints.
Farming Basis
1. Introduction : diversity of agricultural forms thorough the world ;
2. Human presence and needs of agricultural products;
3. "System" concept and its application in agriculture;
4. Natural and socio-economical factors determining agricultural activities;
5. Production factors involved in agriculture;
6. Vegetal productions;
7. Animal productions;
8. Characterization of agrarian systems;
9.Diversity of farming systems in Europe;
10. Farming systems in North American Great Plains
11.Case studies of agrarian systems in tropical regions
Forests and Forest Ecosystems
Introduction : forests in the world : a worldwide challenge
Production of ecosystemic services (FAO data, Carbon, biodiversity, development tool,...)
Long term and sustainable management
The forest ecosystem
Description (tree, stand, soil, biodiversity)
Forest classification and characteristics (in temperate and tropical regions)
Forest dynamics (forest succession, forest cycle, metaclimax, tropical forests origin and evolution, seed dispersal)
Ecosystemic services
Forest management : from exploitation to sustainable management
Study case of Europe
Study case of tropical forests (logging impact, shifting cultivation, poaching, community forest management)
Forest Management in temeprate and tropical regions
Silviculture (concepts and technics)
Goals
Plantation silviculture
Near Nature Silviculture
Low Impact Logging
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Urban Ecology
At the end of the course, student will be able to understand and use the basic concepts of (landscape) ecology related to urban (eco)systems; to understand and develop a vision on urban systems and their role in landscapes or regions; to study and understand the ecological functioning of urban landscapes.
Farming Basis
Approach of the diversity of main farming systems around the world, as a result of ecological and historic features and socio-economical, political and technological evolution. Assessment of farming systems, based on productivity, stability, autonomy and sustainability. After completing the course, the student is expected to: - Understand how agriculture works in the different part of the world; - Analyze a farming system, depending on main factors which can determine or influence it; - Give a critical interpretation on agricultural systems functioning mode.
Forests and Forest Ecosystems
The students will acquire a comprehensive approach of the importance of the forest in the world, in terms of space and ecosystemic services provider.
They will understand the functioning of the forest ecosystem as a basis of its sustainable management and especially of the main concepts and technics of silviculture for sustainable wood production.
They will be able to get a critical and objective point of view on the different management ways (industrial plantations, sustainable silviculture,...) and the causes of deforestation.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Urban Ecology
Basic course of ecology.
Forests and Forest Ecosystems
Basis in ecology and soil science
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Urban Ecology
Teaching ex cathedra, supported by powerpoint presentations. Individual or group exercises (possibly in the field) to illustrate the concepts and calculations. Seminars to illustrate current research in urban ecology. Readings of scientific articles in english. Field trip(s). Activities may change du to scientific and educational opportunities and constraints.
Farming Basis
Visit on the Experimental Farm to get in touch with cropping practices: 2h
Lectures "ex cathedra" given by one of the two professors according to their expertise, depending on the thema: 20h
The lectures presenting the main farming systems of the tropical regions are illustrated by films made by the "Insititut de recherche pour le Développement" (IRD).
Farming Basis
Visit on the Experimental Farm to get in touch with cropping practices: 2h
Lectures "ex cathedra" given by one of the two professors according to their expertise, depending on the thema: 20h
The lectures presenting the main farming systems of the tropical regions are illustrated by films made by the "Insititut de recherche pour le Développement" (IRD).
Forests and Forest Ecosystems
Ex-cathedra lessons (including discussions on films) and lectures by invitred speakers.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
Urban Ecology
Face-to-face lectures for the theoretical courses and for the field excursions. Individual and group exercises (self-planning). Seminar(s). Individual or group readings of scientific articles.
Farming Basis
Face-to-face
Forests and Forest Ecosystems
face-to-face
Recommended or required readings
Urban Ecology
Readings and course notes will be communicated during the lectures. Files will be provided by means of the MyULg system. A significant part will be in english.
Farming Basis
PPT on e-campus Elzebroeck Ton, Wind Koop (2008). Guide to cultivated plants. CABI, xi, 540 p.
Forests and Forest Ecosystems
Required readings :
diaporama powerpoint printed in 4 images/page
Recommended readings
Boudru M. 1989 - Forêts et sylviculture : traitement des forêts. Les Presses agronomiques de Gembloux, 356p.
Otto H.-J. 1998 - Ecologie forestière. IDF, Paris, 397p
Bastien Y., Gauberville C. 2011 Vocabulaire forestier. IDF, Paris, 554p
Assessment methods and criteria
Urban Ecology
Oral exam of the theoretical courses and the exercises. Assessment of the reports of the exercises. Evaluation of the individual readings. The contribution of the different parts of the course to the final evaluation will be communicated during the course.
Farming Basis
Written examination in june (100%)
Forests and Forest Ecosystems
Written examination : multiple choice, problems and open question
Work placement(s)
Urban Ecology
None.
Forests and Forest Ecosystems
none
Organizational remarks
Urban Ecology
Presence at the theoretical courses is recommended. Every student has to understand well all aspects of the exercises, also for the group exercises. Participation in all activities of the exercices is compulsory, even for exercises in which the group work is planned by the students themselves.
Contacts
Urban Ecology
Professor Jan BOGAERT j.bogaert@ulg.ac.be
Farming Basis
Bodson, Bernard (Professeur - Gestionnaire) Phytotechnie des Régions tempérées 081 62 21 40 b.bodson@ulg.ac.be
Forests and Forest Ecosystems
Hugues Claessens : Hugues.claessens@ulg.ac.be
Jean-Louis Doucet : jldoucet@ulg.ac.be