Ecology

Code:

BIOL2012

Acronym:

BIOL2012

Level:

200

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2017/2018 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Biology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	140	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The students must acquire the following knowledge and competences:

1) Concepts and fundamental mechanisms in ecology including: productivity and energy fluxes, biogeochemical cycles, the interactions between individuals in populations and communities, and of individuals with the environment, community parameters (abundance, structural and functional diversity).
2) Basic concepts in soil ecology. Diversity and function of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems 
3) Concepts and methods of vegetation ecology, phytosociology, landscape ecology and functional ecology.
4) Ecology and society - How ecology underpins societal chalenges as climate change, invasions, conservaiton of biodiversity and the ecosystem services. 
5) Sampling methods in aquatic and terrestrial ecological; data analysis.

 

 

 

Learning outcomes and competences

Students will acquire the following skills:
Reflect critically on the available literature, particularly in relation to case studies in ecology.
Collect, analyze and discuss ecological data, based on the knowledge acquired;
Using laboratory equipment and field, correctly and responsibly;
Suggest experimental designs for different problem situations.

 

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Basic knowledge in biology, ecology and fisiology.

Microsoft Excel

Program

THEORETICAL PROGRAM

1. Introduction to Ecology 

2 - Fundamentals of Ecology
Abiotic and biotic factors. E
Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. 
Population ecology and community ecology.
Soil Ecology: the soil as a complex matrix and its biodiversity.

3 - Diversity and ecosystem changes

Patterns of biodiversity change at local, regional and global.
Impacts of climate change and invasive species in ecosystems. 

4. Ecology and Society 
Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
Ecosystem services.


PRACTICAL PROGRAM

The classes are prepared to familiarize students with:

1) Sampling methods in ecology: advantages and disadvantages of the methods in terms of their representativeness and selectivity
2) Methods for determining density: relative density and absolute; capture, mark, recapture, catch per unit effort.
3) Sampling designs for different study objectives;
4) Characterization of environmental matrices (soil, water) in terms of physico-chemical general;
5) Methods of functional ecology - the principle of the methods and their implementation.
6) Experimental designs for evaluation of the influence of biotic and abiotic stresses on plant growth.

 

Mandatory literature

Molles Manuel C. Manuel Carl 1948-; Ecology. ISBN: 978-0-07-017168-8
S. Jeffery, C. Gardi, A. Jones, L. Montanarella, L. Marmo, L. Miko, K. Ritz, G. Peres, J. Römbke and W. H. van der Putten (eds.); European Atlas of Soil Biodiversity, European Commission, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg. , 2010. ISBN: 9789279158063 (Available at: http://eusoils.jrc.ec.europa.eu/library/maps/Biodiversity_Atlas/Download.cfm)
S. Jeffery, C. Gardi, A. Jones, L. Montanarella, L. Marmo, L. Miko, K. Ritz, G. Peres, J. Römbke and W. H. van der Putten (eds.); European Atlas of Soil Biodiversity, European Commission, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg. , 2010. ISBN: 9789279158063 (Available at: http://eusoils.jrc.ec.europa.eu/library/maps/Biodiversity_Atlas/Download.cfm)

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures using powerpoint and video presentations.
Laboratory and field classes where students will have the opportunity to conduct experimental designs, which will apply the appropriate methodologies and collect data for validation of hypotheses.
Data analysis lectures.

 

keywords

Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Teste	85,00
Trabalho laboratorial	15,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	70,00
Frequência das aulas	25,00
Trabalho laboratorial	5,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

To obtain frequency the must have assisted to 75% of the  practical classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

CF = (exam * 0.85) + (laboratory work * 0.15)

In the written tests or exams the weight of each component will be:
Theoretical issues: 12 values.
Theoretical and practical issues: 5 values.

The practical component will be evaluated by the group work. The classification of the laboratorial work is reserved until the end of the school year following that in which it was performed and evaluated.

For approval by frequency, students must have a classification equal to or higher than 40% in both tests. To get approval the final classification must be equal to or greater than 9.5 values.

 

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students with difficulties in the portuguese language may be subject to alternative forms of evaluation