Teacher(s)
Language
French
Prerequisites
A basic knowledge of ecology (e.g. LBIO1117) is required for this course and ideally also some knowledge of evolution.
The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Main themes
The theoritical part of the course looks at both historical and ecological explanations for present-day distributions, and the practical work aims to illustrate the diversity in species composition in different biogeographical zones in Belgium.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | Discuss the ancient and current causes of the geographical distribution of living beings and their groupings and the dynamics of this distribution |
Content
Theoretical course (30 h):
Historical biogeography (15 h)
Historical factors that influence present-day distributions: continental drift, climate change, mass extinctions; global distribution of diversity at higher taxonomic levels; phytogeographical kingdoms and zoogeographical provinces; centres of origin; vicariance; long-distance dispersal; ice ages; Quaternary phylogeography; glacial refugia; diversification.
Ecological biogeography (15 h)
Patterns of biodiversity: counting species, gradients of biodiversity, hotspots, diversity in time (succession, climax), richness and diversity.
Patterns of distribution: geographical range, methods to represent distribution ranges on maps, effects of scale, limits to distributions, overcoming the barriers, types of connections, relictual distributions, endemism, dispersal, invasions, migration, the ecological niche, niche overlap, fundamental and realized niche.
Communities and ecosystems: community richness, alpha, beta, gamma, and delta richness, diversity index, closed and open communities, plant growth forms, plant formations, biomes, zonal vegetations, arid regions, interzonal vegetations, predictive models.
Island biogeography : types of islands, arriving on an island, species-area relationships, surviving on an island, the Theory of Island Biogeography, evolution and speciation on islands, adaptive radiation, insularity syndromes.
The practical work consists of 24 h = 3 field excursions to visit different biogeographical regions in Belgium.
Historical biogeography (15 h)
Historical factors that influence present-day distributions: continental drift, climate change, mass extinctions; global distribution of diversity at higher taxonomic levels; phytogeographical kingdoms and zoogeographical provinces; centres of origin; vicariance; long-distance dispersal; ice ages; Quaternary phylogeography; glacial refugia; diversification.
Ecological biogeography (15 h)
Patterns of biodiversity: counting species, gradients of biodiversity, hotspots, diversity in time (succession, climax), richness and diversity.
Patterns of distribution: geographical range, methods to represent distribution ranges on maps, effects of scale, limits to distributions, overcoming the barriers, types of connections, relictual distributions, endemism, dispersal, invasions, migration, the ecological niche, niche overlap, fundamental and realized niche.
Communities and ecosystems: community richness, alpha, beta, gamma, and delta richness, diversity index, closed and open communities, plant growth forms, plant formations, biomes, zonal vegetations, arid regions, interzonal vegetations, predictive models.
Island biogeography : types of islands, arriving on an island, species-area relationships, surviving on an island, the Theory of Island Biogeography, evolution and speciation on islands, adaptive radiation, insularity syndromes.
The practical work consists of 24 h = 3 field excursions to visit different biogeographical regions in Belgium.
Teaching methods
The theoretical parts consist of lectures. The practicals are field excursions of a full day each, at the end of the semester (on Fridays in week 10, 11 and 12).
Evaluation methods
Theoretical part: written exam with open questions, a separate series of questions for each teacher. The average of the two scores will be calculated to give the final score for the theoretical part.
Practical work: each student should participate in at least one excursion and a single report should be written for all excursions where the student was present. The report should be handed in before a set date and it will be evaluated.
For the whole course, the final note is calculated as follows: 0.80 * theoretical part + 0.20 * practical report.
Partial dispensation is automatic for successfully completed parts (10/20 or more) between exam sessions of the same academic year. If you still want to redo the exam for such a part, you should inform the teacher of that part.
Practical work: each student should participate in at least one excursion and a single report should be written for all excursions where the student was present. The report should be handed in before a set date and it will be evaluated.
For the whole course, the final note is calculated as follows: 0.80 * theoretical part + 0.20 * practical report.
Partial dispensation is automatic for successfully completed parts (10/20 or more) between exam sessions of the same academic year. If you still want to redo the exam for such a part, you should inform the teacher of that part.
Other information
A basic knowledge of ecology (for instance LBIO1117) is required.
Online resources
Bibliography
Cox, C.B. & P. D. Moore (2005). Biogeography, an ecological and evolutionary approach (7th edition). Blackwell Publishing
Faculty or entity
Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)
Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Minor in Scientific Culture
Minor in Development and Environment
Minor in Geography
Master [120] in Geography : Climatology [Réforme 2024 - 2025]