B016087 - ECOLOGY AND LABORATORY

Italian

The course of Ecology is divided into two modules, A and B:
the first (A) primarily deals with ecology of organisms, ecosystems ecology and applied ecology (cfu +1 5cfu laboratory);
The second (B) mainly deals with population ecology and its applications (3 CFU)

Smith T.M. and Smith R.L., 2009 Elements of Ecology, Pearson
CHELAZZI et al., 2004 Ecologia dagli organismi agli ecosistemi. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano
CUNNINGHAM W.P. et al., 2004 Ecologia Applicata. McGraw-Hill, Milano

Knowledge acquired:
knowledge of the phenomena which are relevant to the functioning of ecosystems
Competence acquired:
understanding of the main physical chemical and biological processes taking place in the ecosystems
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
Skills for analysis of concepts, variables and measurements of ecological variables

Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...): 225 (9 x 25)
Hours reserved to private study and other individual formative activities: 149
Contact hours for: Lectures 76 (64+12)
Contact hours for: Laboratory
Contact hours for Laboratory-field/practice: 12
Seminars (hours):
Stages:
Intermediate examinations:

Frequency of lectures, practice and lab: highly recommended
Teaching tools: Presentations and documents obtained from lectures and laboratories

Mod A : oral test
Mod B: written test

The biosphere, the flow of energy and heat balances of organisms and systems. Climates and vegetation. The soil different types and pedogenesis. The geographical distribution of biomes and ecosystems. Aquatic environments. The forest ecosystems. Biogeochemical cycles of matter: water, sediment, carbon and other elements cycles. Anthropogenic changes of biogeochemical cycles. Dynamic ecology, evolution and succession of ecosystems. Functional responses of organisms to the environment. Biological processes of organic production, consumption and decomposition. Biomass, primary production and productivity, trophic efficiencies and structures. Ecology of plant morphogenesis . Applied ecology. Pollution of water and air, bioremediation. Eutrophication. Indicators of environmental quality. Climatic change. Numeric and graphic expression of biodiversity. Complexity and stability of ecosystems. Conservation and management. Environmental Economics.


Population structure. Demographyc models. Exploitation models.
Methods for the study of natural populations. Biotic and abiotic factors regulating populations. Applications of population ecology.


Laboratory practices and classroom computer exercises: autotrophic biomass estimation, measurements of environmental factors, biodiversity and environmental data processing