Ecology and Ecosystems Management

Objectives

1. To know how the main ecological factors affect individuals and populations;

2. To understand the structure and functioning of ecosystems;

3. To understanding the dynamics of ecosystems;

4. To identify the major terrestrial biomes;

5. To understand the specificities of island ecology;

6. To acquire tools for ecosystem management.

Program

1. Individuals and Populations

The concept of Ecology

Ecological factors

2. Ecosystems

Concept, components and functional structure

Autotrophic and heterotrophic

Structure in terms of energy flows

Structure according to the biogeochemical cycles

Development and evolution

Distribution in space

3. Ecology and evolution on islands

Island environment

Evolution on islands

Island biodiversity

The Atlantic as shaper of terrestrial natural communities of the Azores

Natural ecosystems of the Azores

4. Applied Ecology

Management and nature conservation

Biomarkers and biomonitoring

Renaturalisation and bioremediation

Practical program:

Theme 1. Influence of light and moisture in the behavior of Oniscus asellus.

Theme 2. Net Primary Productivity in pastures.

Theme 3. Ecological Monitoring

Theme 4. Ecological quality of aquatic ecosystems

Theme 5. Natura 2000 network and the regional system of protected áreas

Teaching Methodologies

1. Exposure of theoretical content using Data Show;

2. Discussion of theoretical content;

3. Field classes;

4. Laboratory Classes

5. Discussion papers presented by the students.

Bibliography

Ricklefs, R. E. 1998. Invitación a la Ecología, 4ª edición. Editorial Medica Panamericana. Madrid, España.

Anderson, J. M. 1981. Ecology for Environmental Sciences. Edward Arnold. London, England.

Duvigneaud, P. 1974. Sintese Ecológica. Doin Éditeurs, Paris, France.

Odum, P. 1997. Fundamentos de Ecologia, 5ª edição. Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian. Lisboa, Portugal.

Larcher, W. 1980. Physiological Plant Ecology. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany.

Colinvaux, P. 1993. Ecology 2. John Wiley. New York, USA.

Margalef, R. 1980. Ecologia. Omega. Barcelona, Spain.

Miller, T. & P. Armstrong. 1982. Living in the Environment. Wadsworth International. Belmont, USA.

Begon, M., C. R. Townsend & J. L. Harper. 2005. Ecology from individuals to ecosystems. Blackwell Publishing. Malden, USA.