Duration
6h Th, 12h Mon. WS, 3d FW
Number of credits
| Master in biology of organisms and ecology, professional focus in conservation biology : biodiversity and management | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
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
Biodiversity sampling is based on scientific hypotheses that help to define the research questions and objectives of the study. Various sampling methods can be used to collect the necessary data. These methods must be employed with rigorous sampling designs to ensure that the data collected is representative and relevant.
In order to fully understand these methods, three case studies in the field will be carried out, during which sampling techniques will be performed. These case studies will be on monitoring: (1) terrestrial fauna; (2) freshwater fish populations; and (3) epiphytic plant species. Theoretical introductions/debriefings will be given in addition to practicals, which will focus on the analysis of the various data collected, with the aim of reporting the results in a rigorous and coherent manner.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Define scientific hypotheses
- Realise a sampling design in agreement with the hypotheses
- Correctly analyse and report the results
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Basics of ecology
Basics of R and multivariate statistical analysis
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Part Terrestrial Fauna (L. Winandy):
- Theoretical introduction followed by a field activity at the Station Scientifique des Hautes Fagnes (3h)
- Field work at the Station Scientifique des hautes Fagnes
- Practicals: data analysis and result interpretation (3h)
- Carrying out an electric fishing survey of fish in the river (1 day)
- Theoretical course and discussion of the results obtained during the practical work
- Field activity in the Sart Tilman forest to measure air quality (2h)
- Practicals: data analysis (accumulation curves and air quality measurements) and interpretation of results (3h)
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Face-to-face, mandatory.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
See Frech version
Written work / report
Further information:
Exam(s) in session
Any session
Written work / report
The assessment consists of a group project focusing on one of the three themes presented during the course. Groups are required to actively participate in all activities, including classroom sessions, field days, and data analysis. The themes will be distributed in a balanced manner to ensure that each topic is covered by a comparable number of groups. In the event of a disagreement among students, themes will be assigned by drawing lots."
The report must be submitted a few days before the end of the exam session. The exact deadline will be provided at the end of the course.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Partim Terrestrial Fauna:
Laurane Winandy
Station Scientifique des Hautes-Fagnes
Route de Botrange 137, 4950 Waimes
laurane.winandy@uliege.be
Partim Fish Fauna:
Prof. Michaël OVIDIO
Gestion des Ressources Aquatiques et Aquaculture Unit
Institut de Zoologie (Bât. I1)
Université de Liège
Quai van Beneden 22
4020 Liège
E-mail: M.Ovidio@uliege.be
Partim Epiphytic Flora:
Flavien Collart
Bât. B22 Écologie des communautés et des populations végétales
Chemin de la Vallée 1, 4
4000 Liège
E-mail: fcollart@uliege.be