Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology

Code:

CMRM17

Acronym:

CMRM17

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Marine Biology and Ecology

Instance: 2014/2015 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Population Studies
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree in Marine Sciences - Marine Resources

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MCMRM	5	Plano Oficial Bolonha 2014 com ramos	1	-	5	50	135

Teaching language

English

Objectives

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1) To have fundamental and applied concepts in the scope of Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology, and to have training in methods and techniques commonly used in Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology to assess the effects at community and ecosystem levels, as well as in new approaches necessary to address and overcome major environmental problems (e.g. climate changes, bioinvasions, pollution,  biodiversity lost).

 

2) To have the stimulus and skills to get continuous upgrade of their knowledge and training and to apply them in problem solving in the scope of Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology.

 

3) To have the capability of working in a team, in an integrated and multidisciplinary way in the scope of Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology.

 

4) To have developed autonomy and skills to promote consensual choices, to analyse and discuss results, make decisions and communicate results, risks and decisions to different types of audience in distinct contexts in the scope of Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology. 

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1) To have fundamental and applied concepts in the scope of Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology, and to have training in methods and techniques commonly used in Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology to assess the effects at community and ecosystem levels, as well as in new approaches necessary to address and overcome major environmental problems (e.g. climate changes, bioinvasions, pollution,  biodiversity lost).

 

2) To have the stimulus and skills to get continuous upgrade of their knowledge and training and to apply them in problem solving in the scope of Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology.

 

3) To have the capability of working in a team, in an integrated and multidisciplinary way in the scope of Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology.

 

4) To have developed autonomy and skills to promote consensual choices, to analyse and discuss results, make decisions and communicate results, risks and decisions to different types of audience in distinct contexts in the scope of Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology. 

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Main ecological paradigms and challenges.

2. Development, biodiversity and conservation, sustainability.

3. Main regulation and conventions.

4. Types of environmental stressors.

5. Methods and techniques commonly used in Ecology and ecotoxicology to assess the effects of stressors on populations, communities and ecosystems.

6. Effects of environmental stressors (physical, chemical, biological) on interspecific  relationships; adaptations, resistance and differences among species.

7. Effects of individual environmental stressors on communities and ecosystems (terrestrial, freshwater, marine).

8. Combined effects of climate changes, pollution and bioinvasions in ecosystems of different regions (temperate, cold, tropical, extreme environments).

9. Implications to biodiversity conservation, environmental and human health, and ecosystem services.

Mandatory literature

Walker C. H. 070; Principles of ecotoxicology. ISBN: 0-8493-3635-X
Begon Michael; Ecology. ISBN: 0-632-03801-2
Begon Michael; Population ecology. ISBN: 0-632-03478-5
Primack RB ; . Essentials of Conservation Biology, 2002

Complementary Bibliography

Kaiser MJ; Attrill MJ; Jennings S; Thomas DN; Barnes DKA; Brierley AS; Polunin NVC; Raffaelli DG; Williams PJ; Marine Ecology: Processes, Systems, and Impacts. , 2002
Steinberg CEW; Environmental Stress as Ecological Driving Force and Key Player in Evolution, 2012

Comments from the literature

several articles and websites

Teaching methods and learning activities

1) Interactive lectures and case studies discussions stimulating the active participation of the students.

2) Laboratory  and outdoor practical sessions to get knowledge and training on Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology assessments.

2) Practical sessions (individual and team work) with simulations (e.g. computational, “game” scenarios) and real case-studies, including decision-making and communication of results and decisions to different types of audience.

3) Autonomous team work (seminar component) on a topic in the scope of Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology (free choice by the students), presentation and discussion of the work done with colleagues and teachers at the end of the semester.

FINAL MARK = A + B + C

A) Written exam (minimum of 5,0/10 points): 50%

B) Continuous evaluation (minimum of 1,0/2,0 points): 10%

C) Seminar component (minimum of 4,0/8,0 points): 40%

Software

populus

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biodiversity > Sustainable exploitation
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Natural resources management
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology > Environmental risks
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology > Ecotoxicology
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology > Applied ecology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Participação presencial	10,00
Prova oral	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	30,00
Frequência das aulas	50,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

participation in the course sessions, submition of continuous evaluation and seminar components in due time.

Calculation formula of final grade

FINAL MARK = A + B + C

A) Written exam (minimum of 5,0/10 points): 50%

B) Continuous evaluation (minimum of 1,0/2,0 points): 10%

C) Seminar component (minimum of 4,0/8,0 points): 40%

Examinations or Special Assignments

elements for the continuous evaluation and the seminar component of the course.