Duration
9h Th, 9h AUTR
Number of credits
| Master in forests and natural areas engineering, professional focus | 2 crédits |
Lecturer
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 course aims at clarifying the interactions between behavioral ecology and conservation biology. The course consists in several parts:
1) Definitions and introduction to concepts specific to eco-ethology, and demonstration of the interconnections via study cases.
2) Discussion of the main elements informing the elaboration of conservation/management plans: general knowledge about ecology, social organization, socio-reproductive systems, space/habitat use patterns, ecological functions in ecosystems etc.
3) Pratical : systematic methods used to quantify animal behaviour (ethometry), with practical exercises via a one-day training in zoo (Parc animalier des Gottes de Han or Pairi Daiza, depending on the academic year)
4) Seminars on different study cases about fauna conservation in tropical and temparate ecosystems (For the year 2025: Justine Broers (human-elephant conflict) and Dr Olivier Kaisin (conservation of neotropical primates).
The evaluation of the course is based on a written report including (a) the results of the exercises practiced in zoo (behavioural research), (b) a critical reflection about the importance of the co-behavioral aspects for the conservation of the species studied during the training in zoo, (c) a question relative to seminars.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Theoretical elements on behavioral ecology and its connections with wildlife conservation and management.
Ethometry methods: techniques of observation and quantification of animal behavior
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Theoretical sessions, one fieldwork day (19/09/2025; practical exercises in zoo), seminars, and written report
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Face-to-face
The active participation to the training course is mandatory (19/09/2025).
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
Slides (pdf) of theoritical lectures and seminars are available on e-Campus.
Written work / report
Further information:
Written report (by group of 2-3 students) including the practical exercises of behavioral observation conducted in zoo, a short review on the species's biology/ecology and its conservation status and implications.
A guided reflection related to the seminars will be included in the evaluation.
Unjustified absence from the one-day internship will automatically result in the inability to submit the report serving as the final evaluation.
Work placement(s)
One-day practical exercise of behavioral observation in zoo (Parc animalier des Grottes de Han): 19-09-2025
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
As regard to the one-day training of behavioral observation, a participation might be requested for the entrance fees to the animal park.
Transport (by bus) from the Faculty of Gembloux to the training site is in charge of the University.
Contacts
Fany Brotcorne (fbrotcorne@uliege.be) (coordinator)
Cédric Vermeulen (cvermeulen@uliege.be )