Field Course in Tropical Ecosystems

Year
1
Academic year
2020-2021
Code
02036470
Subject Area
Ecology
Language of Instruction
English
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
6.0
Type
Elective
Level
2nd Cycle Studies - Mestrado

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Intensive field course lasting 10 days, with only face-to-face classes. The teaching components contains small theoretical modules to introduce students to the different topics, but is essentially composed of fieldwork, laboratory classes for processing the collected samples and practical group work during information processing, report preparation and oral presentation.

Learning Outcomes

During this curricular unit, students are expected to be contact with the dynamics and the ecology of tropical ecosystems. This course will be offered in collaboration with partners HEIs and will take place in Brazil (Pantanal ecosystem). The specific objectives comprehend the knowledge of the fauna and flora of tropical areas (taking the Pantanal as a model ecosystem) and the acquisition of specific methodologies for the study of communities of these organisms in this environment, complementing the experience acquired in the other curricular units of a similar nature (covering other types of ecosystems and methodologies) that they may attend. The experience gained in this course unit will be important for the planning of their own work leading to the dissertation.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Ecology of tropical terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems (emphasis on Pantanal) – an overview 2. Plant communities of the Pantanal: sampling techniques for ecological studies; identification of plant species, deriving ecological indices (2 days).

3. Terrestrial vertebrates. Methodologies based on direct observation and indirect techniques for birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Participation on conservation activities ongoing in the area (2 days).

4. Recognition of different water bodies of the Pantanal and practice on methodologies to monitor water quality. Sampling freshwater organisms (macrophytes and associated fauna, fish, benthic invertebrates, phyto and zooplankton) and their use as water quality indicators (2 days).

5. Use of the collected data on a multicriteria protocol to assess habitat quality and to monitor local impacts, including social, economic and environmental aspects (2 days).

6. Final reporting as an oral presentation from each group (1 day).

Head Lecturer(s)

José Paulo Filipe Afonso de Sousa

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Report preparation and oral presentation: 100.0%

Bibliography

Boitani, L., & Todd K. Fuller. (2000). Research Techniques in Animal Ecology.

BRITSKI, H. A., (1972). Peixes de Água doce do Estado de São Paulo: Sistemática. In: Comissão Interestadual da Bacia Paraná- Uruguai. Poluição e Piscicultura. São Paulo. 83-108p.

Kricher, J. (2011). Tropical ecology. Princeton University Press.

Magurran, A. E. (2013). Measuring biological diversity. John Wiley & Sons.

REID, J.W. (1985) Chave de identificação para as espécies continentais Sulamericanas de vida livre da Ordem Cyclopoida (Crustacea, Copepoda). Bolm. Zool. USP, n. 9, p. 17-143.

Sutherland, W. (2006). Ecological census techniques: a handbook. Cambridge University Press

Southwood, T. R. E., & Henderson, P. A. (2000). Ecological methods. John Wiley & Sons.

Wildi, O. (2010). Data analysis in vegetation ecology. John Wiley & Sons.