From organisms to ecosystems

The first objective of this teaching unit is to allow students to discover scientific ecology in all its diversity. Particular attention is paid to the definition of scientific ecology, in relation to the meaning of the term "ecology" (political ecology or ecologism) in the media and for the general public. The place of the environment in the scientific study of ecology is also clarified. With the help of tutorials and practical exercises, three major themes of ecology are covered: paleoecology, functional ecology& 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) Know-how in document analysis
iii) Implementation of a hypothetico-deductive approach
iv) Sampling, data collection, synthetic restitution in a scientific framework

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

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Dajoz, R. 2006. Précis d'écologie - 8ème édition. Paris, DUNOD.
Faurie, C., C. Ferra, et al. 2003. Ecology: scientific and practical approach . Paris, 407. Ricklefs, R. E. and G. L. Miller 2005. Ecology . Brussels, De Boek University.