Fundamentals of Conservation Biology and Physiology

The EU’s goal is to bridge the gap between knowledge of biology and physiology on the one hand, and demography and population dynamics on the other. This approach aims to lay the groundwork for conservation biology by providing insights into how animal and plant organisms and populations respond to changes in ecosystems and sources of stress.

Teaching Methods:

Tutorials in the form of presentations and discussions of scientific data, or in a “flipped” format featuring small-group presentations, independent group projects, and analyses of real-world restoration cases;

Tutorial 1: Introduction to the course: concepts, activities, and teaching methods. Development of the flipped tutorial schedule

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

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

TD4–16: In a “reverse” format (students take an “active” role, with the instructor providing supplementary information), a series of sessions aimed at establishing

- the links between biology and life strategies on the one hand, and life history traits on the other, using several representative examples (animal and plant species; generalist and specialized species; rare species—including different types of rarity—or widespread, even invasive, species);

- the development of a population's demographics

- changes in a population's demographics resulting from various disturbances, particularly long-term disturbances that affect the population's ability to evolve.

Two tutorial sessions (3 hours total): analysis of various conservation and biomonitoring strategies, taking into account knowledge of organism physiology as well as ecological and behavioral characteristics. Research and analysis of documents, synthesis, and oral presentation of studies / discussion

Practical Training: plant ecophysiological analyses; animal ecophysiological analyses using noninvasive methods (behavioral, physiological, and bioenergetic analyses).

Responsible parties: Bernard Godelle and Jehan-Hervé Lignot

Contact information for the person(s) in charge (phone/email): godelle @ umontpellier.fr Email: @ umontpellier.fr 06 88 18 86 50

- Knowledge:

- Understand the major physiological functions and their diversity, as they interact with the biotic and abiotic environment

- Understand the structure-function relationships at different levels of the organism 

- Understand biological mechanisms at the organismal, cellular, and molecular levels within an eco-evolutionary context

- Understand the basics of conservation biology (concepts discussed in detail in the previous section).

Expertise:

- Be able to apply concepts and tools from various disciplines to analyze a document, an observation, or the results of an experiment

- Be able to work in a group on formatting, critical analysis, and writing up experimental results

- Be able to develop a logical argument using critical thinking (identifying limitations, cross-referencing with the literature, defending a point of view)

- Be able to write a scientific report, using illustrations and a presentation style appropriate for the target audience, with the help of appropriate computer tools

- Be able to engage in oral discussions using scientific arguments

-Interpersonal skills:

- Work independently or as part of a team

- Write a report within a specified time frame

- Follow the health and safety rules for a lab