Fundamentals in ecology

Summary

The students will learn the fundamentals in ecology with the goal to perceive the environment beyond its physical and chemical characteristics. Starting from basic concepts, they will acquire mechanistic understanding of biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and global change.

Content

Keywords

ecology, ecosystems, theory and concepts, environment, populations, communities, biodiversity, global change

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Analyze environmental problems in a systematic way rooted in ecological theory
• Integrate knowledge from the abiotic and biotic components that form the fundamentals of ecology
• Differentiate between pure science and engineering
• Defend why ecological thinking is requried to face the great challenges coming with global change
• Conduct simple experiments related to ecology

Transversal skills

• Demonstrate a capacity for creativity.
• Give feedback (critique) in an appropriate fashion.
• Keep appropriate documentation for group meetings.

Teaching methods

The students will follow lectures and do practical work, including experimental fieldwork, analyses in the laboratory, and an initiation into R with practical examples from ecology.

Assessment methods

Written exam: 60%

Written report on the practical part during the semester: 40%

Supervision

Resources

Bibliography

Elements of Ecology, 9th Edition

Thomas M. Smith, University of Virginia

Robert Leo Smith, (Emeritus) West Virginia University

©2015 | Pearson

https://www.pearson.com/us/higher-education/product/Smith-Elements-of-Ecology-9th-Edition/9780321934185.html

Ressources en bibliothèque

• Elements of Ecology, Smith & Smith, Pearson 2015, 9th ed (paper)

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/ENV-220