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;

Goals

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

 

Exercices

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

 

Assessment method

Group report, to be defended during personal interviews: 66%

Oral exam for the part 'phytoplankton' ("open book": 33%). This can be done either in real life or on Teams.

The final note will be: 
The average of the two parts when both parts are passed
The weakest note in case one of the two parts is not passed
Only the part that has not been passed has to be re-done (dispense partielle pour la partie réussie).
The partial exemptions are valid for 1 academic year: the grade of the succeeded part in year n will be transferred to the year n + 1, but not to the following years.

Sources, references and any support material

Various scientific papers .
Powerpoint slides
All these materials can be found on WebCampus

Language of instruction

Français
Training Study programme Block Credits Mandatory
Standard 0 3
Standard 0 3
Standard 0 3
Standard 0 3
Standard 1 3
Standard 2 3
Standard 2 3
Standard 2 3