Naturalist Specialization 2

The structure of this course is similar to that developed in S4. The aim is to provide students with knowledge of the biology, ecology and evolution of the three taxonomic groups in question. In addition to species identification (which will be covered extensively), this course will cover the evolution and systematics of the taxonomic group in question, fundamental ecology (evolutionary and functional ecology), applied ecology (conservation), physiology, legislation and study and identification methods.

After a general introductory course, 2 parallel courses will be offered. One will focus on cryptogams (algae, lichens, mosses and fungi), the other on fauna (chiropterans & arthropods).

Cryptogams

The aim of this section is to familiarize students with the extremely diverse organisms that are bryophytes, phaeophytes and fungi. The principle is 1) to approach these little-known diversities through a naturalistic approach, 2) to place these observations in an evolutionary perspective (phylogenetic aspects), and 3) to link the observations to the role of these organisms in terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

Lastly, the module will cover aspects of daily life, economics and citizenship linked to species (toxicology, nutrition, medicine).

Fauna

The aim is for students to acquire/deepen a body of knowledge on the biology of arthropods and chiropterans, which are taxonomic groups of great interest, both from the point of view of studies in fundamental ecology (ethology, evolutionary ecology, functional ecology), applied ecology (conservation biology) and environmental education/teaching. In addition to species identification, this line of work will cover the evolution and systematics of these taxa, their physiology, ecological and behavioral characteristics, and their roles in ecosystems. Teaching will incorporate innovative pedagogical approaches, combining the use of traditional tools (visual recognition) and modern ones (acoustic identification using software). Among Arthropods, the groups to be particularly addressed will be Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Odonata and Orthoptera, representing highly diversified orders that will best enable us to approach the notion of species, which is central in biology. Species identification will form the basis for studying their biology and ecology, and for tackling the notions of evolution and phylogeny.

Each group (Fauna - Cryptogams) will have at its disposal 12 hours of fieldwork (half of which will be common to both groups) to be carried out according to modalities to be defined (4 1/2-day outings, or 2 long one-day outings). Practical work can be carried out on university sites (university campus - Labex CEMEB experimental field at CEFE - Botanical Garden) that are suitable for studying different organisms.

Cross-cutting notion

The EU is organized around a notion common to both groups of practical work, which, through a reversed class, will enable us to use observed species as a starting point for identifying concepts central to conservation biology. In S5, the notion of species (and associated entities such as subspecies, hybrids, etc.) will be widely addressed, from both a theoretical and practical point of view. This notion will enable us to address 1. the foundations and limits of the various perspectives on species (morphological, genetic, ecological), 2. the methodological problems linked to the identification of taxa in the field and in the laboratory, and 3. the problems this generates from the point of view of species conservation. To this end, at the end of the sequence, students present a taxon, from among those proposed in the UE, whose identification proves to be complex.

- HAV426B (Naturalist Specialization 1) in L2 (compulsory)

- strongly recommended: experience in a naturalist association outside the GNUM.

Manager(s) : Franck Richard & Sébastien Puechmaille

Contact details of manager(s) (tel/mail) : franck.richard @ umontpellier.fr; sebastien.puechmaille @ umontpellier.fr

Knowledge :

- Knowledge of tools for describing biodiversity from the gene to the biosphere

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

- Applications of organismal biology, evolutionary biology and ecology (health, agronomy, conservation, restoration)

- Understanding the mechanisms and processes behind biodiversity

 Know-how :

- Know how to search for and extract information critically, prioritize sources of information and identify their reliability, and produce a summary.

- Give an oral presentation and write a scientific report, using illustrations and a presentation adapted to the audience concerned, with the help of appropriate IT tools.

- Successful project management within a group

- Describe an organism and understand how morphological characteristics can be used to identify species [out of reference].

Soft skills :

- Respect others as well as the equipment and organizations you work with

- Be able to self-assess and challenge oneself in order to learn