6 ECTS credits
150 u studietijd
Aanbieding 1 met studiegidsnummer 4007683ENR voor alle studenten in het 2e semester met een verdiepend master niveau.
The field trip takes approximately 8–10 days and has a destination within the EU, typically within the Mediterranean region. The selected destinations show important ecological and biogeographic contrasts or gradients (e.g. isolated mountains, islands, specific landscapes such as a karst region or soil formation such as on gypsum).
In preparation of the field excursion, students sign up for two small ‘expert teams’: one focusing on a study theme covering a specific aspect of the area which is to be visited (location, biogeographic relations, geology, use of soil, climate, etc.); and one focusing on a specific floral or faunal group or taxon. Each expert team of a study theme prepares a literature study on the subject as part of the final field report. Each expert team of a focal taxon prepares a species checklist as part of the final field report and familiarises itself with the taxon in question. During the field trip all teams will get the opportunity to apply their newly gained expertise and inform/educate the other students. On location, typical places will be visited, sometimes as punctual visits (e.g. differently exposed shores of an island), sometimes as a part of longer hikes along an ecological gradient (e.g. altitudinal zonation along the flank of a mountain from sea level to the oromediterranean or alpine area).
For the observations, different vegetation science techniques (Braun-Blanquet scores, Bunce-land surveillance, plotless vegetation recording methods, transects and the like) or faunistic collection techniques (insect traps, bird observations, infralittoral sampling by snorkeling) may be applied.
Since the environment as a whole should be looked at in the visited area, viz. including human presence, where relevant, attention will be given to historical-cultural aspects (e.g. types of agriculture, transhumance, fisheries, presence of various population groups, palaeontology, ancient and recent history and its impact on the environment. This may include a biogeographic and ecological perspective of local markets or a fish auction. With this approach, three dimensions - biogeography, ecology and human aspects - will be integrated. Particular attention will be given to environmental and nature management issues, including local and/or European legislation and its implementation. Thus, the link from ecological theory to the reality in the field will be made visible.
The observations will be processed, as much as possible, on location or at a "base station" (determination, counting, observation). All data will finally be integrated into a final report along with the preparatory work, which demands a collective effort before, during and after the excursion.
A few examples of locations explored in this manner are the karst area (incl. cave biology) of Slovenia, the coastal and mountain region of Northwest and Central Corsica, the Mount Olympus and Mount Ossa in Greece, the island Tenerife, the island Crete, the island Madeira, the Sierra Nevada and Cabo de Gata (Andalucia), French and Spanish Catalonia, the island Mallorca etc.
Previous knowledge
A bachelor program in Biology makes up a solid base. In addition, It is strongly recommended to enroll for the course "Biogeography” if joining the field trip. Preparatory work will familiarise the student with a number of aspects specific to the destination before the field trip. A good physical condition is required for some field work activities !
Study Material
Specific and extensive scientific literature for every destination.
Additional Information
A financial contribution of 600–700 € will be demanded for participation (2023-24). This price is a target price and may vary depending on destination and market conditions (e.g., VAT rates).
If a longer hike is part of the excursion, material (both personal and scientific group material) for 2-3 days will be carried, on foot.
This course explicitly contributes to the following competences of the Biology curriculum:
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 field trip abroad aims to stimulate the student to formulate questions about the ecological and biogeographic factors which determine floral and faunal composition in a (semi)natural environment (mostly the Mediterranean area) which is new to him/her and has important ecological contrasts and gradients.
Having gained experience during the field trip, the student should be able to analyse an environment and to suggest an approach for the scientific explanation of observations concerning ecology and biogeography (hypothesis). This also involves the steps required in order to collect scientific data from an unfamiliar area. Handling gaps in scientific material and works in other languages (not only Dutch and English) is part of the training. Systematic work is a tool, not a goal of the field trip.
De beoordeling bestaat uit volgende opdrachtcategorieën:
WPO Praktijkopdracht bepaalt 20% van het eindcijfer
ZELF Verslag bepaalt 80% van het eindcijfer
Binnen de categorie WPO Praktijkopdracht dient men volgende opdrachten af te werken:
Binnen de categorie ZELF Verslag dient men volgende opdrachten af te werken:
The final mark is computed with the following proportions: report 80%, permanent evaluation 20%, for each element the student must obtain > 8/20, otherwise the lowest mark is overriding.
Deze aanbieding maakt deel uit van de volgende studieplannen:
Master in de biologie: ecologie en biodiversiteit
Master in de biologie: onderwijs
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Educatieve master in de wetenschappen en technologie: biologie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek)