UCL - Gestion des habitats et des espèces

[BIRF2106]

[22.5h + 22.5h] 4 credits

This course is taught in the 1st semester.

This course is not taught in 2009-2010

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 quality of the environment at the local-scale (with a particular focus on open environments), but also at the landscape- or regional-scale, in order to implement appropriate environmental management strategies with a particular view to preserving, maintaining or restoring fauna and flora, as well as the functions of this ecosystem.

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

Main themes

Population dynamics in heterogeneous landscapes, 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, threats and solutions in biodiversity conservation from the population level to the biogeographical level, techniques in restoration and management of natural and semi-natural habitats, 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, management of risks associated with 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 and plant populations in heterogeneous landscapes
Population dynamics within landscapes: some conceptual reminders
Destruction, degradation and fragmentation of natural and semi-natural environments: threats for biodiversity and conservation issues
Climate change and biodiversity: a recent threat of high magnitude
Invasive species - risk assessment, early-warning systems,
Module 2: Managing with detailed knowledge of the facts
Principles and techniques of biodiversity inventory: basic information across a variety of spatial scales
Principles of biodiversity monitoring over time: establishment of a dashboard
Determination of conservation status for species and environments
Identification of species requirements for appropriate management: characterisation of species-habitats relationships
Module 3: Management and conservation of natural and semi-natural environments
Techniques of habitat restoration and management applied to open environments principally in Europe
Forest management and biodiversity: importance of open areas in forests and dynamics in forest cycles
Managing and restoring ecological networks: Natura 2000 network in Wallonia
Module 4: Game species management in Wallonia
Historical and present backgrounds of big game management in Wallonia
Biology of big game species
Small and big game management: monitoring techniques of game populations, use of indicators, calculation of shooting plans, tools and guidelines in habitat use analysis
Module 5: Field visits
Illustration of game species management techniques
Illustration of management and restoration techniques applied in a protected area et LIFE projects

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 maximum 10 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 : 3 teachers and several invited speakers for seminars