Ecological Methods

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Objectives

Goal: to provide field and laboratory methodologies for the Ecologist. It includes instructions on experimental design, qualitative and quantitative sampling, acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data, and preparation of scientific reports and projects. It is intended that through scientific method, students seek answers to questions of ecology, such as: What determines the distribution and abundance of species? How important are interactions among species in determining their abundances? In the end, students should have acquired skills to: planning work in the major fields of Ecology; distinguish and execute measurable and manipulative tests, increasing their accuracy and precision; plan and implement a sampling plan; know methods to estimate population parameters. In TP classes we make exercises of theoretical modelling of ecological studies; field trips and experimental work in the laboratory, are the practical portion of the discipline.

Program

1. Fields of Study in Ecology

1.1. Types of ecological variables

Data representation

Precision versus Accuracy

2. Sampling in Ecological Studies

2.1. Types of Experimental Essays

Measurable essays

Manipulative essays

2.2. Selection and sample size

Sample replication

2.3. Sampling Plans

2.4. Introduction to Experimental Design

3. Studies at Population level

3.1. Estimate of biotic parameters

Frequency and cover

Population parameters

Distance methods and removal methods

Mark-recapture techniques

Patterns of population dispersal

4. Studies at Community level

4.1. Community structure

Measures of specific diversity

Specific richness (S)

Qualitative descriptors

Quantitative descriptors

Similarity

Ordination

Classification

Teaching Methodologies

The lectures are interactive; the syllabus is exposed to students while the debate is fostered collecting opinions in class. Students are given TP exercises that help them fill gaps and consolidate the theoretical knowledge acquired in the meantime. For example, when teaching the application of the scientific method to ecological studies, students are given problems so that they formulate the working hypotheses and plan an experience. These TP classes allow a continuous assessment of the students' progress and for a more objective evaluation we give them a written test. For the assessment of the practical component of the course, students will perform a small research project in Ecology along the semester, with or without field component, at the end of which they deliver a report in the form of a scientific publication, whose rules are previously given. To correct what was less well done, this work is then presented and discussed in class with the teacher to moderate the debate.

Bibliography

Krebs, C.J. 1999. Ecological Methodology. 2nd ed. New York: Benjamin/Cummings. 620 pp. (Livro adoptado)

Brower, J.E., Zar, J.H. & von Ende, C.N. 1990. Field and Laboratory Methods for General Ecology. 3rd ed. Wm. C. Brown Publishers. 237 pp.

Magurran, A.E. 2004. Measuring Biological Diversity. Blackwell Science, Oxford, 215 pp.

Southwood, T.R.E. & Hendersen, P. A. 2000. Ecological Methods (3rd edition), Blackwell Science, Oxford. 575 pp.

Sutherland, W.J. (Ed.). 2004. Ecological Census Techniques – A handbook. Cambridge University Press. 336 pp.

Underwood, A.J. 1997. Experiments in Ecology – their logical design and interpretation using analysis of variance. Cambridge University Press, 504 pp.

Todos os anos são ainda fornecidos artigos recentes de revistas de Ecologia, para o desenvolvimento de trabalhos e apoio às aulas.

Every year we also supply the students with the most recent articles published on Ecology journals, meant for the development of works and support to the classes.

Code

0101521

ECTS Credits

6

Classes

  • Teórico-Práticas - 60 hours

Evaluation Methodology

  • Theoretical and practical component: 55%
  • Theoretical component: 45%