The education paradigm has been changing in the last years, mostly as a result of a growing awareness of the benefits of field-based education. More than ever, providing field work experiences to students are key to fostering the next generation of wildlife researchers, enhancing their awareness towards current environmental issues, but also providing a first-hand view of the “real world”, which is vital for understanding and delineating realistic and well-founded research questions. The advanced course on “Ecological Research in Mediterranean Ecosystems - From Theory to Practice” aims to provide the necessary scientific background to design and implement ecological studies. This field course has a strong practical component offering participants a hands-on experience in field sampling techniques focused on terrestrial Mediterranean ecosystems. Brief theoretical introductions on sampling design, habitat characterization, and biodiversity surveys will be followed by practical sessions in an outdoor Mediterranean landscape, the Faia Brava reserve (northeastern Portugal). Participants will learn the steps to survey and monitor different taxonomic/functional groups, habitats and ecosystem compartments as well as the logistics and the challenges they may face in field ecology and data collection. The course programme comprises a solid theoretical background and practical training for students and young researchers working on Mediterranean ecosystems.
- Professor: Mónica Aresta
- Professor: Helder Caixinha
- Professor: João Carvalho
- Professor: Rui Carvalho
- Professor: Eduardo Ferreira
- Professor: Carlos Fonseca
- Professor: Jorge Henriques
- Professor: Luís Miguel Rosalino
- Professor: PEDRO MIGUEL DOS SANTOS BEÇA PEREIRA UNAVE