From Fieldwork to Project: Mediterranean Biodiversity Research
This course aims at introducing the student to the process of creation of a research project based on field sampling techniques (marine and terrestrial fieldwork). The specific objectives of this practical course are: to learn the process of creating a scientific project; to learn techniques of sampling in marine and terrestrial ecosystems; and, to acquire knowledge of marine and terrestrial biodiversity in the Mediterranean and to know the possible factors that condition them.
The course has a high practical content to explore the Mediterranean biodiversity, that include trips to Costa Brava and work in the field. Therefore, the student is required to have swimming skills and to bring adequate equipment for working in the sea and in the field (appropriate clothing and footwear).
Based on a fictitious project call, the student will learn the steps to follow to create a project. At the same time, the student will conduct fieldwork and laboratory work/practices to analyze the processes of sampling, logistics and the expected potential results, to draft a project based on one of the study methodologies provided. Furthermore, the student will learn concepts about habitats and biodiversity associated with the sampling performed during the course.
This course takes place in three scenarios: in the field, in the laboratory and in in the classroom. In the classroom, theoretical knowledge of terrestrial sampling and marine sampling associated to different organisms and habitats will be exposed, and the factors that regulate them will be introduced. In the field (both in marine and terrestrial ecosystems), the student will practice some sampling techniques to know different groups of organisms or habitats. A special emphasis will be placed on analyzing the sampling process, logistics and the potential results, to design the project. In the laboratory, the samples obtained in the field will be analyzed, and again, the student will explore deeply the process, the logistics and the analysis of potential results. Finally, we return to the classroom where, based on the theoretical concepts and on the practical work (field and laboratory), students can search for information to design and draft their project proposal. Thus, the student is required to bring the laptop to the classroom lessons. The project proposed by the student will be a free theme to stimulate creativity, but it must satisfy the basis of the project call.
Courses generally have little or no prerequisite knowledge required for a given topic, however if students face any doubts, we recommend they contact course professors to clarify.
Week | Contents | Teaching/learning activities |
---|---|---|
1st |
- How to prepare a Project proposal - The terrestrial fieldwork: what we have to know about sampling and about Mediterranean fauna. - Field work: sampling Mediterranean terrestrial fauna - Laboratory work: terrestrial samples I |
- Lecture presentation - Team work - Field practices in a terrestrial ecosystem - Laboratory work - Knowing Mediterranean terrestrial biodiversity |
2nd |
- Laboratory work: terrestrial samples II - The marine fieldwork: methods of sampling in the Mediterranean Sea and what fauna can be found. - Field work: trip to Costa Brava coast for sampling. - Laboratory work: marine samples I - Work in the project: design and information search |
- Laboratory work - Field practices in the Mediterranean Sea - Knowing Mediterranean terrestrial and marine biodiversity - Design of a project - Search of information - Team work |
3rd |
- Field work: sampling in the coast of Mediterranean. - Laboratory work: trip to Costa Brava coast for sampling. - Work in the project: development of the project proposal - Presentation of all project proposals |
- Field practices in the Mediterranean Sea - Knowing Mediterranean terrestrial and marine biodiversity - Laboratory work - Small group activity and discussion about projects - Presentations - Teamwork |
From Monday to Friday.
From 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Individual/group exercises 25%
Participation 30%
Project presentation (oral group presentation) 45%
Books:
- Ballesteros E., Llobet T., 2015. Marine Wildlife of the Mediterranean. Brau Edicions.
- Barrientos J.A., 2004. Curso práctico de Entomología. Asociación Española de Entomología. CIBIO-UAB. Manuales de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
- Chinery M., 1997. Guía de campo de los Insectos de España y Europa. Omega Ed.
- Hickman Jr. C., Roberts L., Keen S., Larson A., I'Anson H., Eisenhour D., 2017. Integrated Principles of Zoology. McGraw Hill Ed. (18th edition).
Links:
Ana Morton, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Zoology and Biology and Diversity of Invertebrates Non-Arthropoda and Field Sampling Methods at the Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology at the Faculty of Biosciences (UAB). She has coordinated the Master's degree in Terrestrial Ecology and Biodiversity Management. Her research focuses on biological control of insect pests and entomopathogenic nematodes and on nature conservation projects. She is author of several papers in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters and has participated in different international and national research projects.
- E-mail: Ana.Morton@uab.cat
Xavier Munill is Adjunct Professor at the Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology at the Faculty of Biosciences (UAB) where he teaches Marine Biology, Biology and Diversity of Invertebrates Non-Arthropoda and Field Sampling Methods. He also teaches Marine Biology at UVic. He is a Project Manager on different NGO´s, where has design and executed many different nature conservation projects. Actually, he leads a project on environmental monitoring using Low-Tech Low-Cost DIY Open Source electronic devices.
- E-mail: FrancescXavier.Munill@uab.cat
Ona Font is Adjunct Professor at the Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology at the Faculty of Biosciences (UAB). She is a teacher of Biology and Diversity of Invertebrates Non-Arthropoda, Zoology and Field Sampling Methods. She is a Project Manager on different NGO´s, where she has designed and executed different field work campaigns and conservation projects. She has worked at Barcelona Zoo as Zookeeper Specialist, managing different kinds of fauna. She is also presently involved in a project on environmental monitoring and dissemination.
- E-mail: maria.font@uab.cat
Marta Martín Flix, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Cell Biology and Cell Culture Techniques at the Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology at the Faculty of Biosciences (UAB). She also participates in the Cytogenetics and Reproductive Biology Master’s degree of the same Faculty. Her research focuses on the study of molecular mechanisms of genomic instability that drive senescence and aging. She has participated in several European and national research projects and authors several papers in high impact peer-reviewed journals.
- E-mail: Marta.Martin@uab.cat
Additional information
Where the course will take place
Faculty of Bioscience - Labs
Classroom CB/013.
Contact info
If you have any doubt, please contact with us: