Duration
12d FW
Number of credits
| Master in biology of organisms and ecology (120 ECTS) | 3 crédits |
Lecturer
Collégialité
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The objective of this field course is to take a step aside from the problems of nature conservation in Western Europe, by going to the Carpathians in Romania. Very big differences exist between the two contexts. Romania thus presents meadows and fields with a very important biodiversity, without comparison with the Belgian context. These are notably the result of extensive agriculture with manual mowing. Romania still has vestiges of primary forests, which have disappeared in Western Europe, as well as the presence of several species of large carnivores (bear, wolf, lynx).
The objectives of this field course are therefore to become familiar with these different aspects, and in particular how different agricultural practices, as they were still practiced in our regions at the beginning of the 20th century, have a direct impact on biodiversity, conservation and territory management. The coexistence with large carnivores will also be discussed.
A first analysis will focus on the biodiversity present in mountain environments, with particular attention to the flora of altitude. Various notions relating to the specific ecology of this type of environment will be widely discussed, in particular the mountain levels.
The second analysis will focus on the conditions of existence of this biodiversity, on conservation issues at the regional level but also at the level of the European Union. More specifically, the human activities influencing the richness of this type of environment, in particular semi-subsistence agriculture, will be seen in detail. Likewise, the co-existence of human populations with large predators and other types of conflicts linked to the use of the territory and the preservation of biodiversity will constitute one of the central axes of this course.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
1. To be able to quickly describe the plant biodiversity of a site (alpha, beta and gamma diversity) and to establish a transect; constitute the corresponding documentary base (photographs); produce a commented report describing this biodiversity
2. Understand and know how to present the terms of reference of mountain ecology, in particular the geological and geomorphological history of the sites studied and their present state; the climatic history of these sites; the ecological constraints encountered by living beings in the mountains
3. Understand and know how to present the history and the present situation of the occupation of places by man, the characteristics of the modes of exploitation and the associated issues
4. Understand and know how to present the logic of the territorial actors concerned by the themes studied (open environments: limestone steppes and meadows, middle mountain hay meadows; natural forests; large carnivores); establish a conservation strategy for these themes
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
BIOL0810-2 Biologie de la conservation
SSTG0046-1 Perfectionnement naturaliste appliqué en conservation
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course is organized in the form of a study trip. Activities will mainly take place in the field: inventory of flora and fauna, recognition of habitats, meetings with local stakeholders, etc. In-room presentations are also planned.
The active participation of students, in particular through discussion with local stakeholders, is strongly encouraged.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
n.a.
Recommended or required readings
n.a.
Any session :
- In-person
oral exam
- Remote
written work
- If evaluation in "hybrid"
preferred remote
Additional information:
The final assessment will focus on writing a group report as well as on the student's involvement during the internship. Detailed instructions will be provided before the course.
Work placement(s)
The field trip takes place as follows:
Roundtrip flight to Romania
Travel from site to site (on average three places to stay, where you stay for about 3 days) to explore the geographic and ecological diversity of the Carpathians, and the diversity of the actors encountered. Travel by minibus between sites, driven by supervisors.
It is therefore necessary to be able to travel a dozen days in an itinerant way.
A participation of the University intervenes in the financing of the field courses, but part of the costs remain the responsibility of the student, in particular the plane ticket. A budget of around 500 EUR is expected.
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
n.a.