Applied Ecology
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The teaching aims to provide students with the knowledge about the main environemntal issues caused by human activities, including the impacts on natural ecosystems, also listing the methods and the procedures currently available to reduce these impacts.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the teaching the student will be able to have a critical view of the main environmental problems caused by human activities, and will have acquired the knowledge on methods and solutions currently available to reduce the impacts caused by human activities towards ecosystems.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course deals with the main issues related to adverse effects of anthropic activities on ecosystem functions and biotic communities, describing the approaches and methods currently available for monitoring, reducing and/or managing such effects. For simplicity, these issues will be addressed separately for aerial, aquatic and terrestrial environments.
Aerial environments: Effects of natural emissions and anthropic activities on atmosphere composition and dynamics that regulate its components. Methods of monitorning air pollution, and the effects of air pollution at the local and global scale: acid rains, smog, greenhouse effect alterations, thinning of the ozone layer. Biological indicators and methods of monitoring air quality.
Aquatic environments: Water Pollution. Eutrophication and chemical pollution. Methods for the monitoring of contamination and effects of aquatic contaminants: EBI; STAR_iCMI and NISECI. Techniques of wastewater treatment, phytodepuration, biofiltration and biomanipulation of eutrophic ecosystems. Overexploitation of aquatic resources: fisheries and aquaculture, overfishing, and principles of fisheries management. Aquaculture and approaches towards a sustainable aquacuture.
Terrestrial environments: Sources of degradation and pollution of soils. Green Revolution and agroecosystems. Alternative methods to reduce the use of pesticides: biological pest control methods. Methods to assess biological quality of soils (QBS). Principles of solid waste and their management.
Aerial environments: Effects of natural emissions and anthropic activities on atmosphere composition and dynamics that regulate its components. Methods of monitorning air pollution, and the effects of air pollution at the local and global scale: acid rains, smog, greenhouse effect alterations, thinning of the ozone layer. Biological indicators and methods of monitoring air quality.
Aquatic environments: Water Pollution. Eutrophication and chemical pollution. Methods for the monitoring of contamination and effects of aquatic contaminants: EBI; STAR_iCMI and NISECI. Techniques of wastewater treatment, phytodepuration, biofiltration and biomanipulation of eutrophic ecosystems. Overexploitation of aquatic resources: fisheries and aquaculture, overfishing, and principles of fisheries management. Aquaculture and approaches towards a sustainable aquacuture.
Terrestrial environments: Sources of degradation and pollution of soils. Green Revolution and agroecosystems. Alternative methods to reduce the use of pesticides: biological pest control methods. Methods to assess biological quality of soils (QBS). Principles of solid waste and their management.
Prerequisites for admission
Principles of ecology are required.
Teaching methods
Course delivery methods will be based on interactive lectures supported by projected material (Slides).
The slides will be provided on the ARIEL website of the teaching. Three textbooks on Applied ecology will be suggested to support the in depth study of topics discussed during lectures. The students will be involved in the discussion of the topics of the teaching to improve their critical skills, reworking the concepts acquired and communicating the concepts appropriately.
The slides will be provided on the ARIEL website of the teaching. Three textbooks on Applied ecology will be suggested to support the in depth study of topics discussed during lectures. The students will be involved in the discussion of the topics of the teaching to improve their critical skills, reworking the concepts acquired and communicating the concepts appropriately.
Teaching Resources
Suggested textbooks:
Materiale di riferimento:
1) Cunningham, Cunningham, Saigo. Ecologia Applicata (Mc Graw Hill Eds.)
2) Galassi, Ferrari, Viaroli. Introduzione all'Ecologia Applicata (CittàStudi Edizioni)
3) Bargagli. Ecologia Applicata (Amon Edizioni)
Materiale di riferimento:
1) Cunningham, Cunningham, Saigo. Ecologia Applicata (Mc Graw Hill Eds.)
2) Galassi, Ferrari, Viaroli. Introduzione all'Ecologia Applicata (CittàStudi Edizioni)
3) Bargagli. Ecologia Applicata (Amon Edizioni)
Assessment methods and Criteria
Verification of student preparation consists of a ca. 15-20 min long oral exam whereby some questions related to the diverse topics covered during the teaching course will be asked.
BIO/07 - ECOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Parolini Marco, Rubolini Diego
Professor(s)
Reception:
to be agreed by prior appointment via e-mail
Reception:
In case of need, please send an email to schedule a meeting
Via Celoria 26, piano 6 torre C