Ecology and Ecosystems Management

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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
1.1. The concept of Ecology
1.2. Ecological factors
2. Ecosystems
2.1. Concept, components and functional structure
2.2. Autotrophic and heterotrophic
2.2. Structure in terms of energy flows
2.3. Structure according to the biogeochemical cycles
2.4. Development and evolution
2.5. Distribution in space
3. Ecology and evolution on islands
3.1. Island environment
3.2. Evolution on islands
3.3. Island biodiversity
3.4. The Atlantic as shaper of natural communities of the Azores
3.5. Natural ecosystems of the Azores
4. Applied Ecology
4.1. Main causes of global biodiversity loss
4.2. Nature management and conservation
4.3. Renaturalization and bioremediation
Practical program
Theme 1. Standards for the preparation of scientific reports
Theme 2. Influence of light and humidity on the behavior of Oniscus asellus.
Theme 3. Net primary productivity in pastures.
Theme 4. Biodiversity and carbon sequestration in forest ecosystems on Terceira Island
Theme 5. Natura 2000 Network and the Regional System of Protected Areas
Theme 6. Climate change, invasive species, habitat changes, pollution and over-exploitation; Bioremediation

Teaching Methodologies

1. Exposure of theoretical content using Data Show;
2. Discussion of theoretical content;
3. Field classes;
4. Laboratory Classes
5. Discussion of oral presentations by the students.

Evaluation

Theoretical component
The assessment consists of two frequency tests (the dates of which are established in the first class and published on the Moodle platform). The final grade for the theoretical component will be given by the average of the frequency grades. The student will pass the theoretical component if they attend at least 50% of the classes and obtain a final theoretical grade equal to or greater than 10 points. If the student fails during the exam period, he or she may take a theoretical exam during the exam period. Any student who does not attend at least 50% of classes will fail and be excluded from the exam. During exam time, the theoretical exam grade has a weight of 60% in the final assessment and the grade that will appear on the agenda results from the application of the final assessment calculation formula (see below).

Theoretical-practical component
The assessment consists of 3 reports (relating to themes 2, 3 and 4) and 1 oral presentation (relating to themes 5 and 6). The final grade for the theoretical-practical component will be given by the average of the 3 best grades obtained in the set of works, including the grade for the oral presentation. The dates for delivering reports and oral presentations are agreed with students and published on the Moodle platform. The student will pass the theoretical-practical component if they attend at least 50% of the classes and obtain a final theoretical-practical grade equal to or greater than 10. To carry out reports, students must be present at least in one of the corresponding practical classes. The assessment of the theoretical-practical component is carried out exclusively during the semester, and the assessment elements must be delivered on the dates stipulated during the semester. Any student who does not attend at least 50% of classes will fail and be excluded from the exam.

Final evaluation
The student will pass the course if he successfully completes the theoretical component and the theoretical-practical component. The final grade will be given by the formula:
NF = (0.6 x NT) + (0.4 x NP)
where NF is the final grade, NT the theoretical component grade and NP the theoretical-practical component grade.

Bibliography

  • Anderson, J. M. (1981) Ecology for Environmental Sciences. Edward Arnold. London, England.
  • Begon, M., C. R. Townsend & J. L. Harper. (2005) Ecology from individuals to ecosystems. Blackwell Publishing. Malden, USA.
  • Borges, P.A.V., Santos, A.M.C., Elias, R.B. & Gabriel, R. (2019) The Azores Archipelago: Biodiversity Erosion and Conservation Biogeography. Encyclopedia of the World's Biomes-Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences. Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (ed. by E. Scott et al.), pp. 1-18. Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Colinvaux, P. (1993) Ecology 2. John Wiley. New York, USA.
  • Elias, R. B. (2007) Ecologia das florestas de Juniperus dos Açores. Dissertação de Doutoramento em Biologia, especialidade de Ecologia Vegetal. Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade dos Açores
  • Larcher, W. (1980) Physiological Plant Ecology. Springer-Verlag. Berlin, Germany.
  • Margalef, R. (1980) Ecologia. Omega. Barcelona, Spain.
  • Miller, T. & P. Armstrong. (1982) Living in the Environment. Wadsworth International. Belmont, USA.
  • Odum, P. (1997) Fundamentos de Ecologia, 5ª edição. Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian. Lisboa, Portugal.
  • Ricklefs, R. E. (1998) Invitación a la Ecología, 4ª edición. Editorial Medica Panamericana. Madrid, España.
  • Whittaker, R.J. & Fernández-Palacios, J.M. (2006) Island Biogeography; ecology, evolution, and conservation. Oxford University Press, 416 p.

Code

0105981

ECTS Credits

6

Classes

  • Teóricas - 30 hours
  • Teórico-Práticas - 30 hours

Evaluation Methodology

  • 1st Frequency: 30%
  • 2nd Frequency: 30%
  • 3 Group work: 40%