From organisms to ecosystems

The primary objective of this teaching unit is to enable students to discover scientific ecology in all its diversity. Particular attention is paid to the definition of scientific ecology, as opposed to the meaning of the term "ecology" (political ecology or environmentalism) in the media and for the general public. The place of the environment in the scientific study of ecology is also clarified. Through tutorials and practical work, three major themes in ecology are addressed: paleoecology, functional ecology, and evolutionary ecology. It is important to note that these themes are supported by a particularly active scientific community in Montpellier.

i) Basic conceptual knowledge of scientific ecology

ii) Document analysis skills
iii) Implementation of a hypothetical-deductive approach
iv) Sampling, data collection, and summary reporting in a scientific context.

As scientific ecology is a quantitative discipline, it will be important for students to demonstrate a minimum interest in mathematics and statistics applied to life and earth sciences, ecology.

100% CC

Dajoz, R. 2006. Précis d'écologie (Ecology Summary) - 8th edition. Paris, DUNOD.
Faurie, C., C. Ferra, et al. 2003. Ecologie: approche scientifique et pratique (Ecology: Scientific and Practical Approach). Paris, 407. Ricklefs, R. E. and G. L. Miller 2005. Ecologie (Ecology). Brussels, De Boek Université.