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Ecology: from cells to Gaia

Approx. 7 hours to complete

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Description

This course presents the principles of evolution and ecology for citizens and students interested in studying biology and environmental sciences. It discusses major ideas and results. Recent advances have energised these fields with evidence that has implications beyond their boundaries: ideas, mechanisms, and processes that should form part of the toolkit of all biologists and educated citizens.

Major topics covered by the course include fundamental principles of ecology, how organisms interact with each other and their environment, evolutionary processes, population dynamics, communities, energy flow and ecosystems, human influences on ecosystems, and the integration and scaling of ecological processes through systems ecology. This course will also review major ecological concepts, identify the techniques used by ecologists, provide an overview of local and global environmental issues, and examine individual, group and governmental activities important for protecting natural ecosystems. The course has been designed to provide information, to direct the student toward pertinent literature, to identify problems and issues, to utilise research methodology for the study of ecology and evolution, and to consider appropriate solutions and analytical techniques. Needed Learner Background: general biology and a good understanding of English. This course has the following expectations and results: 1) covers the theoretical and practical issues involved in ecology and evolution, 2) conducting surveys and inventories in ecology, 3) analyzing the information gathered, 4) and applying their analysis to ecological and conservation problems.

Outline

Welcome to the Course
About the university
About the course
About the course team
About the International Master's Degree in Biodiversity
Recommended literature for the course
Entering questionnaire
Let's mark ourselves on the map

Module 1. The Scope of Ecology
1.1 What is “ecology”?
1.2 Plant and animal adaptations and interactions with the environment
1.3 Environmental conditions and Earth’s biomes
1.4 Life histories and populations
1.5 Interspecific competition and the avoidance of competition
Quiz – Module 1

Module 2. The Ecosystem
2.1 Foraging interactions between species: predation, herbivory and parasitism
2.2 Mutualistic interactions
2.3 Evolutionary ecology
2.4 The ecology of biological diversity
2.5 Energy flux and biogeochemical cycles
Quiz – Module 2

Module 3. Energy in Ecological Systems
3.1 Fundamental ecological processes
3.2 Parasites, predators and Gaian effects
3.3 Biodiversity, hypercycles and Gaia
3.4 Regulating ecological processes
3.5 Biomass, photosynthesis and carbon sequestration
Quiz – Module 3

Module 4. Population Ecology and Evolution
4.1 A new ecology
4.2 Sustainability
4.3 Human impacts on ecosystems
4.4 Conservation biology
4.5 You as an ecologist!
Quiz – Module 4

Final module
Final questionnaire
Final task: organise a Bio-Blitz

Summary of User Reviews

This ecology course on Coursera has received positive reviews from many users. The course covers various topics related to ecology and provides a great learning experience. One key aspect that many users thought was good was the interactive nature of the course, which makes learning engaging and enjoyable.

Pros from User Reviews

Great learning experience
Interactive nature of the course
Covers various topics related to ecology
Engaging and enjoyable
Well-structured course content

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course content to be too basic
Lack of in-depth analysis on certain topics
Some users experienced technical difficulties with the platform
Limited interaction with instructors
Length of the course may be too long for some users

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