Functional Ecology

The Functional Ecology course aims to provide a solid foundation in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, with a particular focus on the role played by living organisms in material flows within these ecosystems. The main processes covered are primary production, consumer relationships—particularly herbivory—and the decomposition and transformation of soil organic matter. For each of these processes, special attention is given to (1) the link between organisms’ strategies and their function within the ecosystem, and (2) basing the presentation of concepts on field observations, highlighting characteristics of organisms or the ecosystem that students might encounter during field trips.

This course thus bridges a broader introduction to ecology in the first semester (HLBE304) and introduces concepts necessary for the third-year course on community ecology.

The focus is on practical aspects, particularly through a series of group-based hands-on activities, in which a simple but scientifically relevant hypothesis will be tested experimentally using an appropriate protocol.

Concepts in general ecology, particularly within the context of the EU course “Fundamental Ecology: Concepts and Methods”

Based on the L competency framework, the EU will contribute to the following areas:

- Understand the structures, dynamics, and connections to the physical environment that define an ecosystem

- Understand species interactions within communities and their role in the structure and dynamics of biodiversity

- Understand the main material and energy flows in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems

- Understand the biodemographic and adaptive strategies of organisms, in relation to their resources, their interactions, and the characteristics of their environment

- Understand the mechanisms of soil formation

- Understand the rules and conventions of oral, written, and electronic communication

- Be familiar with health and safety rules in the lab and in the field

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

- Know how to critically evaluate information (particularly information available online), prioritize information sources, and assess their reliability

- Be able to write a scientific research and/or literature review report of a few pages

- Be able to formulate a research question or testable hypothesis based on a question

- Be able to propose and implement—with guidance—an observational approach, a sampling plan, or an experimental approach

- Be able to analyze data obtained through observational or experimental methods

- Be able to use computer tools to enter, analyze, and save data (spreadsheet, R)