3 ECTS credits
90 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4015718FNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.
The course is structured along of several main themes:
1- the ecology and biogeography of tropical marine and coastal systems, as the restoration context;
2- the societal basis of ecological restoration, as the context directing restoration objectives and choices;
3- conservation of such systems, the management and restoration of their ecological functioning when disrupted, as the restoration practice.
Questions that may be addressed :
For 1- :
- what are tropical marine systems ?
- what is the biogeographical context ?
- what are the scientific uncertainties ?
For 2- :
- what do we want to conserve (manage, restore) ?
- must we value ecosystems in an economic context and how can this be done, which constraints are to be considered ?
- what are expectations in society and from several sectors as to ecosystem restoration (views on nature) ?
- which choices can be made with which trade-offs ?
For 3 -:
- what is ecological functionality ?
- how do we conserve (manage, restore) ?
- where do we conserve (manage, restore) ?
- how to deal with migratory animals ?
- what is the human factor in restoration practice ?
Particular attention will be given to mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs, open oceans, migratory animals. Where appropriate the legal and policy contexts will be addressed.
The course is not geared to practical guidelines and protocols, but intends to define the appropriate questions, to identify relevant data and to propose a suitable strategy, possibly drawing on professional backgrounds of participating students. In order to cover the wide range of topics and systems, scientific literature (articles) are read along the lectures and discussed in class. Thus, cases will be selected and studied.
As a practical exercise no tropical marine system can be visited practically. Instead, a visit is organized to a (temperate) coastal or estuarine area in Belgium or neighbouring countries where the discourse and options for management and restoration are observed (e.g. through a guided visit and discussion with a manager). Excursions have been done in the Yser estuary, Antwerp harbour, Zwin, Zeebrugge harbour, Ostend creek area etc. with contacts with stakeholders in the specific areas. The practical aspects will be a written preparation of the visit.
Previous knowledge
Elements of biology, ecology, biogeography.
Study Material
There is no specific textbook, references will be given and ample scientific articles indicated.
This course explicitly contributes to the following competences of the curriculum
(as defined by the Biology Department of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel):
General
- Evaluate the societal relevance (I)
- Evaluate the scientific relevance (II)
- Report in various ways (III)
Field specific
- Problem solving as a thinking process (IV)
- Plan and conduct research in an autonomous way (V)
- Extrapolation between different scientific fields (VI)
- Recognize and work out bio-ethical implications (VII)
The course objectives are targeted towards a scientific discipline as well as its practical applications.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Oral examination after written preparation.
Besides course-related questions, a recent research article must be analysed during the examination. This article is selected by the student in relation to the course (instructions available).
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management: Standaard traject
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: biologie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)