Study of the physiological responses of animals to their natural environment or environments disturbed by human activities.
By the end of this course, the student will be able to:
• Understand the basic concepts of ecophysiology and ecotoxicology and apply them to real-world cases.
• Explain and compare the main methods for assessing toxicity
• Understand and apply the concept of environmental risk assessment.
This course stems from the integration of ecophysiology and ecotoxicology. Its primary objective is to provide a theoretical and practical introduction to the physiological mechanisms of animals interacting with their natural environment or environments altered by human activity. Ecotoxicology focuses on the challenges posed by chemical pollution, as well as on modern approaches to monitoring and risk assessment. Ecophysiology focuses on the diverse ways that animals have adapted to cope with stressful, changing, and extreme conditions.
The ecophysiology section comprises the following chapters:
· Introduction to ecophysiology
· Eco-Evo-Devo
· Extreme environments
· Temperature tolerance
· Osmoregulation strategies and mechanisms based on the environment
· Respiration strategies based on the environment
· Stress endocrinology
The ecotoxicology section comprises the following chapters:
• Introduction to ecotoxicology: definitions, history, and scope of study.
• Key concepts (bioaccumulation, bioconcentration, biomagnification, distinction between risk and hazard).
• Toxicity assessment methods (e.g., dose-response tests using model organisms).
• Principles of environmental risk assessment and biomonitoring.
The ecophysiology section comprises the following chapters:
◦ Introduction to ecophysiology
◦ Eco-Evo-Devo
◦ Extreme environments
◦ Temperature tolerance
◦ Osmoregulation strategies and mechanisms in relation to the environment
◦ Respiratory strategies in relation to the environment
The ecotoxicology section comprises the following chapters:
• Introduction to ecotoxicology: definitions, history, and scope of study.
• Key concepts (bioaccumulation, bioconcentration, biomagnification, distinction between risk and hazard).
• Toxicity assessment methods (e.g., dose-response tests using model organisms).
• Principles of environmental risk assessment and biomonitoring.
Several seminars will be organized on various topics such as hibernation, stress physiology, etc.
The practical exercises include theoretical concepts and will cover : (a) respirometry and (b) an acute toxicity test using Daphnia.
The theoretical course is presented using digital resources (PowerPoint + pdf) and references standard textbooks on animal physiology, ecophysiology, and ecotoxicology. In addition, seminars featuring external guest speakers are organized. Practical sessions apply the theoretical concepts, respirometry, and an acute toxicity test using Daphnia.
The assessment will have both a written and an oral component. Questions relating to the practical work will also be asked. Students must pass both the ecophysiology and ecotoxicology sections to pass the course. If the score for either section is below 10/20, an average will not be calculated, and the final grade for the course unit will be the lower of the two scores. However, partial exemption may be granted between two exam sessions within the same academic year. No partial exemption will be granted from one academic year to the next. If both sections are passed, the average will be calculated (60% ecophysiology and 40% ecotoxicology).
Attendance at practical sessions is mandatory. In the event of an unjustified absence, the student will automatically receive a final grade of 0/20 for the course unit.
Eckert et al.: Physiologie animale, De Boeck
Hill, Wyse and Anderson : Animal Physiology
Fundamentals of Ecotoxicology (Newman)
Environmental Toxicology (Wright & Welbourn)
Introduction à l'écotoxicologie (Ramade)
| Training | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Biology | 3 | 4 | No |