Human sensory ecology

Scientific ecology has focused mainly on the exchange of matter and energy. ‘Sensory ecology’ takes a different perspective, focusing on the acquisition of information and the way in which living organisms respond to this sensory information to organise their interactions with their terrestrial or marine environment. Von Uexkull (1921) was the first proponent of sensory ecology to stress the uniqueness of the sensory worlds in which different living organisms live and, consequently, to recognise the need to identify the particular characteristics of the environment that are relevant to each species. This sensory information is crucial when it comes to understanding how living organisms respond to rapid human-induced environmental change. Sensory ecology can then be used as a tool in conservation and management strategies to understand how certain species respond to these rapid environmental changes and how the negative impacts of these changes can be mitigated. This interdisciplinary course lies at the interface of neuro-ethology, ecology, experimental psychology and philosophy. Its aim is to familiarise students with the fundamental concepts of sensory ecology and to initiate reflection on its applications to humans. The course begins with a general presentation of the conceptual framework of sensory ecology, followed by a presentation of the diversity of the visual, auditory, tactile and chemical ‘sensory worlds’ of mammals, birds, amphibians and insects.This presentation is then enriched by a problematisation and philosophical analysis of the questions and concepts of sensory ecology. It concludes with a presentation of ecological issues relating to acoustic, visual and chemical ‘pollution’ of habitats, ‘sensory danger zones’ and ‘ecological traps’.