Evolutionary ecology

This course builds on the Evolutionary Foundations course to introduce key concepts in evolutionary ecology in order to understand and formalize, in a simple way, the evolutionary and ecological mechanisms that shape biodiversity at different scales of integration.

This course unit is designed as a coherent whole, with lectures, tutorials, and practicals complementing each other. Concepts are introduced through examples and then formalized using mathematical models, which are tested against experiments and real-world data.

It will cover population dynamics (intra- and interspecific competition) and ecological niche, and will detail the mechanisms of evolution and their genetic consequences at the population level: natural selection (including sexual selection), the influence of reproductive regimes, and genetic drift. The tutorials will enable students to grasp the mathematical formalization of concepts covered in class and their simple computer modeling, as well as data set analysis. The practicals will enable small groups to carry out and analyze two experiments, each lasting one month (with a report and oral presentation), in order to develop scientific methodology and reasoning.

have validated the block Fundamentals of Evolution/From Genotype to Phenotype

-Understand the mechanisms and processes that drive biodiversity

-Know and be able to implement the various approaches and tools used in evolutionary biology and ecology: observation, sampling, experimentation, modeling, and statistical analysis.

-Understand the mechanisms of evolution and their qualitative effects (mutation, drift, selection, migration)

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

-Know how to formalize the effect of selection and the effect of mating patterns on allele and genotype frequencies from one generation to the next (basics of population genetics)

-Knowing how to interpret differences and variations in allele and genotype frequencies in populations

-Know how to formalize simple population dynamics models

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

-Be able to develop a logical argument with a critical mind (limitations, comparison with the literature, defense of a point of view)

-Know how to extract relevant data from a document (graph, text, statement)

-Know how to give a short oral presentation on a topic covered in class

-Know how to write a scientific study and/or bibliographic report of a few pages

-Know how to represent information in an illustrated form (graph, diagram, drawing, photo, video)

-Be able to produce scientific communication materials (written, poster, slideshow)

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

-Know how to propose and implement, with support, an observation procedure, a sampling plan, or an experimental procedure

-Know how to analyze data obtained from observation or experimentation

-Be able to use computer tools for data entry, analysis, and backup (spreadsheet, R)

-Be able to use computer tools to produce and archive documents (word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools)

Knowing how to successfully complete a project within a group

-Be able to self-evaluate and question oneself in order to learn

-Knowing how to position oneself within a group for the purpose of implementing the project.

-Knowing how to listen and communicate with a conversation partner and in a working group