2025
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
To provide students with general knowledge of ecology in order to interpret the organisation and functioning of Ecosystems and the Ecosphere.
To provide basic technical-scientific knowledge with a view to professional intervention in the environmental field.
To provide basic technical-scientific knowledge with a view to professional intervention in the environmental field.
Contents
- Ecology: Definitions and concepts
- Structure and functioning of ecosystems: Circulation of matter and flow of energy. Production and trophic structure. Ecological efficiencies.
- Limiting environmental factors: Application to producers and decomposers Implications for the processing of detrital matter and the distribution of organisms.
- Biogeochemical cycles: Global cycles and local cycles; problems of human intervention.
- Populations: Density, Natality, Mortality, Emigration and Immigration, Sex ratio, Survival curves, Rate of population increase. Exponential and logistic growth. Selection strategy. Age pyramids. Predator and competitive interaction, ecological niche. Population regulation.
- Community: Community structure. Species richness and diversity Specific diversity factors. Community structure and stability.
- Succession. Ecosystem evolution. Pioneer stages, seral stages and climax. Climax theories.
- Structure and functioning of ecosystems: Circulation of matter and flow of energy. Production and trophic structure. Ecological efficiencies.
- Limiting environmental factors: Application to producers and decomposers Implications for the processing of detrital matter and the distribution of organisms.
- Biogeochemical cycles: Global cycles and local cycles; problems of human intervention.
- Populations: Density, Natality, Mortality, Emigration and Immigration, Sex ratio, Survival curves, Rate of population increase. Exponential and logistic growth. Selection strategy. Age pyramids. Predator and competitive interaction, ecological niche. Population regulation.
- Community: Community structure. Species richness and diversity Specific diversity factors. Community structure and stability.
- Succession. Ecosystem evolution. Pioneer stages, seral stages and climax. Climax theories.
Teaching Methods
The teaching methodology is defined according to the type of classes, theoretical and theoretical-practical.
In the theoretical sessions, the principles and concepts relating to the different syllabuses are presented, explained and discussed.
In the theoretical-practical sessions, scientific articles are analysed and discussed and practical exercises are carried out in relation to the syllabus.
The chosen teaching methodology will develop various skills, including teamwork, use of information technology, communication, literature analysis, synthesis and discussion.
Study visits will be organised when possible due to financial availability and timetable compatibility.
In the theoretical sessions, the principles and concepts relating to the different syllabuses are presented, explained and discussed.
In the theoretical-practical sessions, scientific articles are analysed and discussed and practical exercises are carried out in relation to the syllabus.
The chosen teaching methodology will develop various skills, including teamwork, use of information technology, communication, literature analysis, synthesis and discussion.
Study visits will be organised when possible due to financial availability and timetable compatibility.
Assessment
Continuous assessment
- Theoretical component - Written test 70%
- Practical component - Reports on work carried out in 25%.
- Attendance and participation 5%
The student will pass with a minimum overall mark of 9.5 points
in both the theoretical and practical components.
Final assessment - Written test including theoretical and practical components (100%)
Exam
Appeal exam
The student is approved with a minimum overall mark of 9.5 in both the Exam and the Appeal Exam.
- Theoretical component - Written test 70%
- Practical component - Reports on work carried out in 25%.
- Attendance and participation 5%
The student will pass with a minimum overall mark of 9.5 points
in both the theoretical and practical components.
Final assessment - Written test including theoretical and practical components (100%)
Exam
Appeal exam
The student is approved with a minimum overall mark of 9.5 in both the Exam and the Appeal Exam.
Certificações
