At the end of this course unit, students will be able to describe and explain the main ecological processes at different levels of organisation, from organisms to ecosystems. They will be able to analyse the factors determining the distribution and adaptation of organisms, explain population dynamics and regulation, characterise community diversity and structure, and understand the role of species interactions. Students will also be able to explain the fundamental principles of ecosystem functioning and apply this knowledge to analyse biodiversity conservation issues and interactions between human and natural systems.
The exercises will also enable students to acquire practical skills in observing, sampling and identifying organisms, apply ecological field methods, and develop naturalist skills through the preparation of an insect collection.
The course aims to provide an integrated understanding of the major principles of ecology. It develops students’ ability to connect mechanisms operating at different levels of ecological organisation and to understand how organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems respond to their environment. It also aims to demonstrate how ecological knowledge can be used to understand environmental change and contemporary biodiversity conservation challenges.
The exercises complement this conceptual approach with practical experience in ecology, notably through field observation and sampling and through the collection and identification of insects.
The course covers relationships between organisms and their environment, organism distribution and adaptation, population ecology, community ecology and ecosystem functioning. Topics include population dynamics and regulation, metapopulations, biodiversity, species interactions, and flows of matter and energy. A final part introduces conservation biology, different values associated with biodiversity, ecosystem services, and interactions between human and natural systems.
The theoretical content is complemented by two exercise components: practical sessions involving fieldwork and ecological data analysis, and the preparation of a collection of insects (and other arthropods), accompanied by training in the identification and biology of the different arthropod taxa.
Organisms and their environment
Distribution and adaptation of organisms
Population ecology
Population growth and regulation
Metapopulations
Biodiversity and community structure
Species interactions
Ecosystem functioning
Flows of matter and energy
Conservation biology
Biodiversity, ecosystem services and human societies
The exercises consist of two components: practical sessions (TPs) and the insect collection.
The practical sessions take students through the different stages of an ecological study, from fieldwork to scientific communication. During an excursion to Haugimont, students are introduced to the site and examine how biotic and abiotic factors contribute to its ecological diversity and structure. Fieldwork introduces different methods for biodiversity sampling and monitoring, including vegetation surveys and the sampling of aquatic environments using nets and traps. Organisms collected or observed are identified and counted, and relevant environmental parameters are measured.
Data collected by the students are subsequently combined and analysed. Analyses include the calculation of diversity indices, the use of Ellenberg indicator values and CSR strategies, and their relationships with environmental characteristics and different biotopes. Analyses and visualisations are performed using tools including R and QGIS.
This work culminates in a scientific report of no more than 2,500 words, structured into introduction, methods, results, discussion and references. Students develop two ecological hypotheses grounded in the literature, select appropriate analyses to test them, interpret their results and compare their findings with the scientific literature. The discussion must draw on at least five scientific references.
Students prepare a collection of 35 preserved specimens, identified to family level and covering the mandatory groups specified in the instructions. The collection is complemented by two original photographs of Lepidoptera and two of Odonata. Two information sessions are organised to support students in preparing the collection.
Beyond preparing the collection itself, the activity develops practical knowledge of arthropod diversity, classification, anatomy, biology and ecology. Students must be able to identify their specimens to family level and know the characteristics of the relevant orders, suborders and other taxonomic levels.
Teaching combines theoretical classes and exercises. Theoretical classes introduce the fundamental concepts of ecology using examples and case studies.
The exercises consist of two components. The practical sessions combine an excursion and fieldwork at Haugimont, organism identification and counting, measurement of environmental parameters, analysis of the collected data using tools including R and QGIS, and the preparation of a scientific report. The second component consists of the preparation of an insect collection, supported by two information sessions and training in the taxonomic identification, anatomy, biology and ecology of arthropods.
Attendance is mandatory for all practical sessions and field activities, as well as the two information sessions dedicated to the insect collection. Only duly justified absences are accepted. Any timetable conflict must be reported at the beginning of the academic year and before October. An unjustified absence from a mandatory activity results in a grade of 0/20 for the corresponding assessment component.
Assessment consists of three components:
Theory examination: 3/5 (60%)
Practical sessions (TPs): 1/5 (20%)
Insect collection: 1/5 (20%)
The practical component is assessed on the basis of the work carried out during the practical activities and the scientific report.
The insect collection grade consists in equal parts of the collection itself (50%) and an oral examination (50%). During the oral examination, students must be able to present their collection, identify specimens to family level, describe the characteristics of the relevant major taxonomic levels, and demonstrate a thorough knowledge of arthropod anatomy terminology. They must also be able to explain the life cycle, behaviour, requirements, feeding, habitat and ecology of the organisms presented. Identification to species level is considered a bonus.
To be eligible for assessment, the collection must contain 35 preserved specimens, including at least one representative of each mandatory category specified in the instructions, identified to family level, as well as two original photographs of Lepidoptera and two of Odonata. Failure to meet these minimum requirements results in a grade of 0/20 for this component.
The final grade is the weighted average of the three components. To pass the course unit, students must have completed all three assessment components and obtained a grade strictly above 0/20 in each component. A grade of 0/20 in any component automatically results in a final grade of 0/20 for the entire course unit, irrespective of the grades obtained for the other components.
If the course unit is failed, a successfully completed component may be exempted during a subsequent examination period within the same academic year. Exemptions and partial grades are not transferred to the following academic year.
Students may choose to “sign” an assessment, i.e. not take it, separately for any of the three components. This results in a grade of 0/20 for that component and therefore a final grade of 0/20 for the entire course unit. The request must be submitted through SIGALE and confirmed by e-mail to the teaching assistant. Both steps are required.
Course materials, documents for the practical sessions, instructions for the insect collection and other resources required for the course are made available to students through the institutional platforms. Scientific articles, case studies and other resources may also be used to illustrate and further explore selected topics covered in the course.
| Training | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Additional teaching units for the master's degree in organismal biology and ecology (252P) | 1 | 6 | No |
| Unités d'enseignement supplémentaires au master en enseignement : S4 - S5 Biologie (FASEF_S4_S5_UES_Bio) | 1 | 5 | No |
| Bachelor in Biology | 2 | 5 | Yes |