Learning outcomes
Understand the taxonomy of freshwater fish and macro-invertebrates (identification of organisms) as well as the functional aspects of diversity (what are the assemblages, and what is their relationship to the environment).
Understand the mechanisms causing the biogeography of phytoplankton and other species
Understand the mechanisms driving plankton diversity (the plankton paradox).
Read, digest, and present scientific documents on the topic of the course;
Objectives
To create insight into the relationship between environmental factors and the diversity of aquatic communities (fish, macro-invertebrates, plankton).
Content
Several aspects will be approached through field and laboratory work: * collection of macroinvertebrates in rivers, identification, analysis of trophic guilds and biological traits * fish sampling in rivers and/or lakes: species identification, estimates of density and biomass, analysis of factors determining community composition. Invited experts will contribute to the training.
Table of contents
Introduction: definitions, motivation of the course
Phytoplankton: biogeography and paradox of the plankton
Macro-invertebrates
Ichtyological aspects
Exercises description
Literature synthesis for the phytoplankton part.
Collection of macroinvertebrates and identification, analysis of trophic guilds
Collection of fish in rivers and/or lakes: species identification, density and biomass estimation
Teaching methods
Ex-cathedra
Reading and discussing the scientific literature
Seminars given by invited experts
Coding in R
Field work.
A combination of recorded lectures and online or real-life Q&A sessions
Evaluations
- Group report, to be defended during personal interviews: 66%
- Oral exam for the 'phytoplankton' part ("open book": 33%). Can be hosted live or on Teams.
The final grade is the average of the two parts (phytoplankton and fish/MI). In the event of failure (final mark < 10), the part for which the student obtained a mark > 10 must not be retaken in the second session, there is therefore a partial exemption for the successful part within of the academic year. Partial exemptions are valid only within the academic year: the grade for the passed part in year n will therefore not be transferred to year n+1.
If a student decides to sign for the exam (wants to get an attendance mark), she/he does so for the entire course. It is impossible to sign for a game.
Recommended readings
Various scientific papers .
Powerpoint slides
All these materials can be found on WebCampus
Language of instruction
French / Français
Location for course
NAMUR
Organizer
Faculté des sciences
Rue de Bruxelles, 61
5000 NAMUR
Degree of Reference
Master's Degree