Functional ecology

The Functional Ecology UE aims to provide a solid grounding in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, and in particular the role played by living organisms in the flow of matter within them. The main processes covered are primary production, consumption and, in particular, herbivory, and the decomposition and transformation of soil organic matter. For each of these processes, particular attention is paid to (1) the link between organisms' strategies and their function in the ecosystem, and (2) basing the presentation of concepts on field findings, highlighting characteristics of organisms or the ecosystem that students may encounter on field trips.

This course fits in with the broader presentation of ecology in S1 (HLBE304) and provides the concepts required for the L3 course on community ecology.

Emphasis is placed on practical aspects, in particular through a series of group assignments, where a simple but scientifically relevant hypothesis is experimentally tested using an appropriate protocol.

Notions of general ecology, in particular within the framework of the UE Fundamental ecology: concepts and methods.

In line with the L competency framework, the EU will contribute to the following points:

- Know the structures, dynamics and links with the physical environment that define an ecosystem

- Understanding the interactions between species in communities and their role in the structure and dynamics of biodiversity

- Understand the main flows of matter and energy 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 living environment.

- Understanding soil formation mechanisms

- Know the rules and practices of oral, written and electronic communication

- Know the rules of health and safety in the lab and in the field

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

- Be able to search for information critically (particularly with regard to information available online), prioritize sources of information and identify their reliability.

- Ability to write a scientific and/or bibliographical report of a few pages in length

- Be able to propose a problem or testable hypothesis based on a question

- Propose and implement, with support, an observation approach, a sampling plan or an experimental approach.

- Analyze data from observation or experiments

- Ability to use IT tools for data entry, analysis and storage (spreadsheet, R)