Integrative Biology of Ecosystems and Natural Resources

Code:

BIO3003

Acronym:

BIO3003

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Biology and Biochemistry

Instance: 2025/2026 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Forest Engineering and Biotechnology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:EBF	3	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Following the principles of Integrative Biology, this course will allow students to consolidate their knowledge regarding various domains of Biology that are relevant for an integrative analysis of ecosystems in support of sustainable natural resource management. The course further aims to get students acquainted with a set of advanced tools for biological, ecological and environmental analysis, from molecular biology/omics to geomatics supported by remote platforms, through their practical application to the assessment of specific settings and natural resources. 

Learning outcomes and competences

By the end of the course, students should be capacitated to apply integrative approaches in the study and management of ecosystems and natural resources, as well as to identify and apply the most relevant tools for that purpose.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Part I. INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY: PRINCIPLES AND TOOLS

1. Introduction to Integrative Biology: general principles and application domains.
2. Advanced concepts and analytical tools in several domains of Biology and levels of biological organization: Molecular and Cell Biology, Structural and Functional Biology, Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, Population and Community Biology, Ecosystem Biology and Integrative Biogeography.

Part II. APPLICATIONS OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY

1. Applications of Integrative Biology in the analysis of ecosystems under various environmental and biogeographic contexts.
2. Applications of Integrative Biology to different types of natural resources and their associated management challenges.

Part III. INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY PROJECT

1. Definition of scope and objectives of Integrative Biology projects for natural resource management.
2. Data collection, processing and analysis: practical application of relevant methods and tools.
3. Synthesis, proposal of management actions, and indicators for assessment and monitoring.

Mandatory literature

Wake MH.; Integrative Biology: Science for the 21st Century, BioScience 58(4): 349-353, 2014

Complementary Bibliography

Alcaraz-Segura D, Di Bella CM, Straschnoy JV (Eds.); Earth Observation of Ecosystem Services, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2014. ISBN: 9781138073920

Comments from the literature

Books and articles adjusted to the themes under development each year will also be indicated.

Teaching methods and learning activities

The course is organized in three sets of classes:

- The first set of classes (9h) is aimed to present and discuss the principles of Integrative Biology and the most relevant tools for the assessments and management of ecosystems and natural resources; this first part of the semester includes a set of seminars by lecturers from both universities and invited experts covering the several domains and tools.

- In the second set of classes (12h), students explore, through supervised literature research, examples of application of advanced tools and integrative approaches to the assessment and management of ecosystems and natural resources. Students’ essays shall focus on the following topics: (i) Forests and climate action; (ii) Biotechnology and valorization of forest resources; (iii) Agroforestry systems and sustainable land management; (iv) Ecological restoration and conservation of nature and biodiversity; (v) Digital forestry and innovation in sustainable forest management.

- In the third set of classes (21h), students apply their knowledge and skills in a project aimed at analyzing a specific example of assessment and management of ecosystems and natural resources, applying the principles and tools of Integrative Biology. Following a first field visit to the selected setting, each student will explore a specific topic or management challenge. Finally, the several individual projects will be combined so that multiple management objectives can be conciliated in a same territory.

The students’ assessment is based on preparing and presenting the supervised literature research (40%) and the final project (60%). The assessment of the final project will include an individual component (40%) and a collective/class component (20%). For preparing both the literature research and the project, each student will be supervised by lecturers from both universities.

keywords

Natural sciences > Environmental science > Global change
Natural sciences > Agrarian Sciences > Forest sciences > Forest ecosystems
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Botany
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology > Plant ecology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biodiversity
Natural sciences > Agrarian Sciences > Forest sciences > Non wood forest products
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology > Applied ecology
Natural sciences > Agrarian Sciences > Forest sciences
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biodiversity > Exploração sustentável

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	40,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	60,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	48,00
Elaboração de projeto	72,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Attendance in 75% of classes. Presentation of the two assignments.

Calculation formula of final grade

Presentation of a supervised literature research = 40%

Presentation of the final project = 60% (individual component = 40% and collective/class component = 20%). 

Classification improvement

Grade improvement may be done concerning both assignments.