Integrative Ecophysiology

The goal of this course unit is to understand the adaptive biology of organisms by examining individual and population responses to environmental variations. Concrete examples from the field of evolutionary animal ecophysiology will be discussed in the context of global change. The responses of organisms and populations to abiotic parameters (such as temperature, salinity, oxygen availability, and pollutants) will be examined, along with their interactive effects. The course will demonstrate the role of physiological mechanisms in ecology, ranging from phenotypic and cognitive processes at the intra-individual level to functional variations between individuals and between species. The concepts of intraspecific variability, phenotypic plasticity, and transgenerational effects will also be addressed. This course unit will be illustrated with examples of analyses of phenotypic traits (including behavior) within populations. Links to genetic and epigenetic markers will also be discussed. Various approaches (-omics vs. gene/protein targets), several experimental designs, and diverse organizational scales of living organisms will be considered (molecule, gene, phenotype, individual, population, species).

"Concepts in Ecophysiology—Understand the physiological and behavioral adaptations of an organism in response to changes in its environment; - Understand and be able to apply the tools used to study life history traits and ecophysiological measurements; - Understand ecophysiological adaptations at the individual and population levels; - Understand the analysis of phenotypic traits and their relationship to the genotype."

Basics of Ecophysiology

Comprehensive ongoing assessment: 100%

Hourly volumes:

            CM: 12:00 a.m.

            TD: 8:00 p.m.

            Practical work: 3 hours

            Land area: 7 h

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            SPS: 12:00 a.m.

            Seminars: 0 hours

            Excluding UM: 0 h