UCL - Management principles of animal species in natural environment

[BREF2201]

[15h + 15h] 3 credits

This course is taught in the 1st semester.

This two-yearly course is taught in 2010-2011, 2012-2013,...

Teacher(s):

Language: French

Level: Second

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

Evaluating the status of species and the suitability of their habitat in a region in order to implement appropriate management strategies : conservation, regulation or eradication.

Evaluating the quality of the environment at the biotope-, landscape- or regional-scale in order to implement appropriate environmental management strategies with a particular view to preserving, maintaining or restoring fauna

Acquiring competences related to the implementation of appropriate management strategies for game species encountered in Western Europe

Main themes

Population dynamics in heterogeneous landscapes, ecological niche, spatial distribution of habitats and species, landscape fragmentation and impact on species, assessment of species conservation status at the landscape- or regional-scale, evaluation of environmental conditions for particular species, biodiversity monitoring schemes, identification of key elements within a landscape for species survival and reproduction, biodiversity conservation, hunting and game management practices, game biology and management, monitoring techniques of game populations, analysis of the habitat used by red deer, the impact of deer on biodiversity, available tools for nature conservation, management of invasive species

Content and teaching methods

Lecture established in the form of interconnected modules based on theoretical courses and punctuated with seminars on more applied themes (invited speakers).
Module 1 : Animal populations in heterogeneous landscapes
Animal population dynamics within landscapes - Basic notions
Spatial modelling of species distributions and of their ecological requirements for conservation practice
Invasive species - risk assessment, early-warning systems,
Module 2 : Biodiversity monitoring and conservation
Main notions of fauna, flora and habitat surveillance in space and time
Available legislative tools for nature conservation in Belgium
Module 3 : Field visit
Illustration of game species management techniques
Illustration of management techniques applied in a protected area
Module 4 : Big game species management in Wallonia
Historical and present backgrounds of big game management in Wallonia
Biology of big game species
Small game management
Impact of wild ungulates on biodiversity
Module 5 : Monitoring techniques of game populations and calculation of shooting plans
Tools and guidelines in habitat use analysis
Population monitoring : the use of indicators suitable for Cervids
Wild boar management

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Precursory courses Basic notions in ecology and population ecology

Evaluation Personal work related to species and/or habitat management in Belgium (written report of maximum10 pages). Oral exam on theoretical courses and applied seminars, based on the personal work

Support Slides of lectures and seminars in English or French available via the iCampus website

Teaching team 2 teachers and several invited speakers for seminars