Basics of conservation biology and physiology

The aim of the course is to link knowledge of biology and physiology with demography and population evolution. This approach aims to lay the groundwork for conservation biology, by providing elements to predict how organisms and populations of animals and plants respond to ecosystem changes and stressors.

Educational forms:

Tutorials in the form of presentation and discussion of scientific data or in a "reversed" form with interventions of small groups, projects by groups in autonomy, analyses of concrete cases of restoration;

TD1 : presentation of the UE : concepts, activities, pedagogical forms. Establishment of the program of the reversed TD

TD2: Ecophysiology and environmental physiology (definitions); case studies (invasive species, reintroductions, ecological management)

TD3: Analysis of the consequences of major pollution (marine and terrestrial), ecological engineering, passive and active biomonitoring tools.

TD4 to 16: In a "reversed" form (students in an "active" position, complements by the teacher), a series of interventions aiming at setting up

- the links between biology and life strategy on the one hand and life history traits on the other, taking several characteristic examples (animal and plant species, generalist/specialist species, rare - types of rarity - or widespread or even invasive species);

- the construction of the demography of a population

- changes in the demographics of a population as a result of various disturbances, including long-term disturbances affecting the population's ability to change.

Two TD sessions (3h in total): analysis of different conservation and biomonitoring strategies taking into account knowledge of organism physiology as well as ecological and behavioral particularities. Research & analysis of documents, synthesis and restitution of studies in oral discussion

Practical work: plant ecophysiological analyses, animal ecophysiological analyses with non-invasive approaches (behavior, physiological and bioenergetic analyses).

Person(s) in charge : Bernard Godelle and Jehan-Hervé Lignot

Contact details of the person(s) responsible (tel/email) : godelle @ umontpellier.fr (godelle @ umontpellier.fr) lignot @ umontpellier.fr (lignot @ umontpellier.fr) 06 88 18 86 50

- Knowledge:

- To know the main physiological functions and their diversity, in interaction with the biotic or abiotic environment

- Know the structure/function relationships at different scales of the organism 

- To know the biological mechanisms at the organism, cell and molecule levels, in an eco-evolutionary context

- Know the basics of conservation biology (concepts detailed in the previous section).

Know-how :

- Know how to mobilize concepts and tools from different disciplines to analyze a document, an observation or the result of an experiment

- Know how to work in a group with formatting, critical analysis and writing of experimental results

- Be able to develop a logical argument with a critical mind (limits, confrontation with the biblio, defense of a point of view)

- Know how to write a scientific report, using illustrations and a presentation adapted to the public concerned, with the help of adapted computer tools

- Be able to discuss orally with scientific arguments

-Know how to be :

- Work independently or in a team

- Write a report within a time limit

- Respect the rules of hygiene and safety of a laboratory