UCL - Biodiversité des biomes terrestres

[BOE2121]

[10h + 40h] 3 credits

Teacher(s): Caroline Nieberding, Renate Wesselingh

Language: French

Level: Second

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

Aims

This course focuses on the dynamics of geographic distributions, differentiation and adaptation of plants and animals, associations of ecosystems and biomes, and human influences. It aims in particular at making the synthesis between ancient and recent information on populations, in order to better understand their structure, their diversity and functioning, and their future evolution.

Main themes

The Mediterranean biome and especially the coastal ecosystems (dunes and estuaries), Camargue, the plains of the Provence, and the hills and mountains (Alpilles, Ventoux) will be studied during a week-long excursion. The emphasis will be on their spatial distribution, the functioning of each ecosystem and its relation with the neighbouring ecosystems, on the adaptations of animals and plants and on the human influence on landscape evolution.

Content and teaching methods

The course consists of 10 hours of teaching, followed by the writing of a personal report by each student on a topic approved by the teachers, which is also presented orally in front of the other students. The aim is to learn to use the modern internet-based reseach tools and to synthesize and use information with a critical sense, and to be able to answer questions and criticisms from the audience.

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

The evaluation is based on a written report and its oral presentation, and the active participation of the student in the discussion.