Ecoethology [SBIOB362]

Learning outcomes

To understand the evolution of ethology as a discpline as well as of the principal theoretical influences it received over the last 50 years. To examine the present applications of ethology, in particular in the area of conservation.

Content

The course aims at approaching animal behavior, including its social components, its selection and evolution, and the main aspects of animal ecology: access to ressources, to social partners, defense against predation and parental investment. A particular interest will be devoted to conservation issues and to how eco-ethology is now closely connected with botany, verinarian sciences, agronomy,...

Table of contents

Course 1 From ethology to eco-ethology Course 2 Social structures, Socio-ecology and socio-biology Course 3 Ressource exploitation Course 4 Defense against predation Course 5 Observation methods and data collection Course 6 Ethology and conservation Course 7 Wilderness under anthropic pressures and zoonoses Course 8 Illustrations

Exercises description

Two days of data collection at the Köel Zoo: selection of a research question and pratice of sampling methods. Redaction of a 10 pages report, using the scientific paper format, with at least six references.