2024

Ecology

Name: Ecology
Code: PAO02390L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area: Environment and Ecology Sciences

Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Sustainable Development Goals

Learning Goals

General understanding of Ecosphere organization and involved processes. Acquisition of professional skills on environmental matters.

Contents

Ecology: Definitions, concepts, scope.
Structure and function of ecosystems: circulation of matter and energy; energy to control entropy
Biogeochemical cycles: global and local, impact of human activities
Environmental factors: Leibig and Shelford Laws. Factors of production and decomposition. The landscape interpretation
Production and trophic structure: Energy fluxes between trophic levels and ecological efficiencies. The predominant paths
Population: characteristics and vital rates. Models of growth. Selection strategies r and K. Predator-prey interactions, population cycles. Competition. Population regulation
Species diversity in the evaluation of anthropogenic pressures and environmental quality
Island biogeography Theory - implications for networks of green spaces and classified areas
Community: Structure, stability, environmental quality. Resistance and resilience
Succession: Primary and secondary. Natural and Cultural.Climax theories.
Man-Nature relationship

Teaching Methods

Lectures and discussions.
Assessment involves a written examination and a paper (to be presented and discussed)