Course Instructor
Dr. LAALA Ahmed
Senior Lecturer
Department of Ecology and Environment
Institute of Natural and Life Sciences
Abdelhafid Boussouf University, Mila (Algeria)
Email: a.laala@centre-univ-mila.dz
Aperçu des sections
Course Information
Subject: Biogeography
Field: Natural and Life Sciences
Program: Ecology and Environment
Specialization: Bachelor's in Ecology and Environment
Semester: S6
Credits: 07
Subject Coefficient: 04
Teaching Unit: Core Curriculum Unit
Total Hourly Volume: 67h30
· Lectures: 3h00
· Directed Work: 1h30
Assessment Method: Continuous assessment, final exam
Course Objectives
This course is specifically designed for ecology students in the third year of the Bachelor's program, majoring in Ecology and Environment. The objective of this course is to provide students with key insights into the evolutionary mechanisms of species and the historical and ecological factors that explain the current biogeographical distribution of living organisms.
This module also offers students an overview of the main types of biogeographical distribution areas across the globe and the biogeographical limits of certain species in Algeria.Course Content
Chapter I: Elements of Biogeography. Definition of Biogeography. Ecological Biogeography (Natural Selection, Genetic Drift, Allopatric Speciation, Sympatric Speciation). Historical Biogeography (Continental Drift, Glacial Successions, Climate Change, Orogenesis). Chorology. Importance of Chorological Studies. Barriers Limiting Species Expansion. Different Types of Distribution Ranges (Cosmopolitan, Circumterrestrial, Disjunct, Endemic). Dynamics of Distribution Ranges. Floral Territories and Assemblages (Concept of Phytogeographical Territories, Floristic Assemblage, Floristic Richness). Global Floristic Divisions (Regions, Realms, and Sectors).
Chapter II: Phytogeography and Floristic Analysis. Overview of the Distribution of the Plant Kingdom. Classification Methods of Angiosperms. Major Evolutionary Trends in Angiosperms. Classification Systems of Angiosperms: Traditional Data and Recent Data Based on DNA Sequencing. Description and Specific Traits of Families of Interest in Evolutionary and Economic Systematics. Elements of Botanical Geography. Terrestrial Biomes.
Chapter III: Zoogeography. Geographical Distribution Ranges. Faunal Realms and Their Distributions. Causes of Current Species Distribution. Island Faunas.
Chapter IV: Distribution of Plant and Animal Species in Algeria. Flora: Distribution of Cork Oak, Aleppo Pine, Atlas Cedar, and Holm Oak in Algeria. Fauna: Barbary Deer, Striped Hyena, White Stork.
Bibliography
1. Blondel J., (1995). Biogéographie. Approche écologique et évolutive. Ed. Masson, Paris, 320p.
2. Braquet Paris R., (1987). Biogéographie des continents. Ed. Masson, Paris, 470p.
3. Brown, R., (2009). Biogeography (3e éd.). Sunderland, Mass: Sinauer Associates. 752p.
4. Demaiffe, D., (2012). La tectonique des plaques: Une révolution dans les sciences de la terre. L’Artichaut, 29(3), 18-30.
5. El Hai H., (1978). Biogéographie. Ed. Colin, Paris, 406p.
6. Hengeveld, R., (1993). Ecological biogeography. Progress in Physical Geography, 17(4), 448-460.
7. Lacoste A. et Salanon R., (2001). Elément de biogéographie et d’écologie. Ed. Nathan, Paris, 269 p.
8. Lecointre, G., et le Guyader, H., (2001). Classification phylogénétique du vivant. Belin, Paris, 560p.
9. Verdu, M., and Garcia-Fayos, P., (1998). Ecological causes, function, and evolution of abortion and parthenocarpy in Pistacia lentiscus (Anacardiaceae). Can. J. Bot. 76, 134-141.
