Ecological and Forest Restoration
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
This course will introduce the key concepts, methods and processes for planning, carrying out, and monitoring effective ecological and forest restoration.
The lecturer will implement: (i) in-presence lecture sessions to stimulate the discussion with the students on the topics treated; (ii) field lessons to further develop the students' practical capacity; (iii) teaching labs to consolidate the learning; (iv) tests to verify the learning progresses.
The lecturer will implement: (i) in-presence lecture sessions to stimulate the discussion with the students on the topics treated; (ii) field lessons to further develop the students' practical capacity; (iii) teaching labs to consolidate the learning; (iv) tests to verify the learning progresses.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding.
o Understand the causes and consequences of forest ecosystem degradation and deforestation, and identify restoration goals.
o Describe and analyze forest climate and the physical, chemical, and biological properties of forest soils.
o Describe the different strategies of forest restoration via natural and artificial regeneration.
o Summarize the ecological characteristics of forest species and distinguish the dynamics of ecological succession.
o Recall forest restoration strategies, barriers and opportunities at an international, European and national level.
o Understand the different stages of forest restoration programs, from seed collection and nurseries to tree planting or proforestation.
Applying knowledge and understanding.
o Analyze the vulnerability of forest ecosystems to climate change and assess their resistance and resilience.
o Monitor the severity of disturbance, degradation and deforestation using remote sensing techniques.
o Plan an intervention to restore forest vegetation following deforestation, degradation or natural disturbances.
o Assess and monitor the outcomes of forest restoration in terms of carbon sink and biodiversity.
o Understand the causes and consequences of forest ecosystem degradation and deforestation, and identify restoration goals.
o Describe and analyze forest climate and the physical, chemical, and biological properties of forest soils.
o Describe the different strategies of forest restoration via natural and artificial regeneration.
o Summarize the ecological characteristics of forest species and distinguish the dynamics of ecological succession.
o Recall forest restoration strategies, barriers and opportunities at an international, European and national level.
o Understand the different stages of forest restoration programs, from seed collection and nurseries to tree planting or proforestation.
Applying knowledge and understanding.
o Analyze the vulnerability of forest ecosystems to climate change and assess their resistance and resilience.
o Monitor the severity of disturbance, degradation and deforestation using remote sensing techniques.
o Plan an intervention to restore forest vegetation following deforestation, degradation or natural disturbances.
o Assess and monitor the outcomes of forest restoration in terms of carbon sink and biodiversity.
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
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of principles of vegetation ecology.
English language level B2.
English language level B2.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The learning outcomes will be successfully verified by passing a final exam with a score from 18 to 30. 40% of the score (0-12) will be attributed to an ecological and forest restoration project carried out individually according to the methods and criteria that will be published on the MS Teams page of the course. 20% of the score will be attributed to the oral presentation of the project (with slides and questions by teachers) (0-6 points), and 40% (0-12 points) to in.course exercises to be carried out individually.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
Non attending students will have to consult the teachers to agree on how to replace graded in-course exercises and/or the final project, also focusing on specific excerpts from the textbooks listed below.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
Non attending students will have to consult the teachers to agree on how to replace graded in-course exercises and/or the final project, also focusing on specific excerpts from the textbooks listed below.
Forest ecology and restoration design
Course syllabus
Part 1 - 1 CFU:
Lesson 1: Forests of the world. Forest ecosystem services. Threats to forests: Deforestation and forest degradation. ASSIGNMENT 1
Lesson 2: Impacts of climate change and extreme events on forests. Disturbance ecology, disturbance regimes, resistance and resilience. What is restoration? How to define the desired state?
Lesson 3: Principles of restoration. EU Restoration Law. Abiotic components of restoration: climate. Climate change scenarios. ASSIGNMENT 2
Lesson 4: Site analysis and abiotic factors - Light, temperature, water, and nutrients; Ellenberg indicators. Ecosystems functioning; population and community ecology; interactions between organisms and species; successions; alternative stable states.
FIELD TRIP parco nord milano: urban forest restoration (0.5 CFU)
Part 2 - 1 CFU:
Lesson 5: Crisis and restoration of biodiversity; Levels of biodiversity and their measurement; rewilding; old growth forests
Lesson 6: Mountain forests: management and restoration for climate resilience.
Lesson 7: Categories of mountain forests. Restoration of hydrogeological protection. Mountain afforestation.
Lesson 8: Forests as carbon sinks, climate mitigation in the forest sector. Forest carbon accounting. Tree measurement. ASSIGNMENT 3
Seminars and guided exercises - 1 CFU:
1.Restoration of urban forests and climate adaptation. Rehabilitation of polluted sites .
2.Forest nurseries
3.Valuation of forest ecosystem services
4.Role of animals in forest restoration. Restoration of drylands and grasslands. Principles of landscape ecology and ecological networks. Restoration following biological invasions; restoration of riparian, lowland and alluvial woods.
FIELD TRIP Parco del Ticino: restoration of riparian forests and heathlands. Management of invasive tree species. (0.5 CFU)
FIELD TRIP Val Malga: Forest mensuration. Project data collection. (1 CFU)
Lesson 1: Forests of the world. Forest ecosystem services. Threats to forests: Deforestation and forest degradation. ASSIGNMENT 1
Lesson 2: Impacts of climate change and extreme events on forests. Disturbance ecology, disturbance regimes, resistance and resilience. What is restoration? How to define the desired state?
Lesson 3: Principles of restoration. EU Restoration Law. Abiotic components of restoration: climate. Climate change scenarios. ASSIGNMENT 2
Lesson 4: Site analysis and abiotic factors - Light, temperature, water, and nutrients; Ellenberg indicators. Ecosystems functioning; population and community ecology; interactions between organisms and species; successions; alternative stable states.
FIELD TRIP parco nord milano: urban forest restoration (0.5 CFU)
Part 2 - 1 CFU:
Lesson 5: Crisis and restoration of biodiversity; Levels of biodiversity and their measurement; rewilding; old growth forests
Lesson 6: Mountain forests: management and restoration for climate resilience.
Lesson 7: Categories of mountain forests. Restoration of hydrogeological protection. Mountain afforestation.
Lesson 8: Forests as carbon sinks, climate mitigation in the forest sector. Forest carbon accounting. Tree measurement. ASSIGNMENT 3
Seminars and guided exercises - 1 CFU:
1.Restoration of urban forests and climate adaptation. Rehabilitation of polluted sites .
2.Forest nurseries
3.Valuation of forest ecosystem services
4.Role of animals in forest restoration. Restoration of drylands and grasslands. Principles of landscape ecology and ecological networks. Restoration following biological invasions; restoration of riparian, lowland and alluvial woods.
FIELD TRIP Parco del Ticino: restoration of riparian forests and heathlands. Management of invasive tree species. (0.5 CFU)
FIELD TRIP Val Malga: Forest mensuration. Project data collection. (1 CFU)
Teaching methods
The course includes 2 CFU of lesson time, 1 CFU of guided exercises, and 2 CFU of field trips.
The lecturer will use:
a) Lectures and group discussion to provide theoretical concepts, and develop critical thinking skills;
b) Lab activities to consolidate knowledge learned during the lectures, and develop applied ecology competences useful in the professional practice;
c) Exercises and quiz to verify the acquisition of knowledge and competences;
d) Field trips to learn how to measure, describe and assess forest stands.
Attendance of lectures is strongly recommended.
The lecturer will use:
a) Lectures and group discussion to provide theoretical concepts, and develop critical thinking skills;
b) Lab activities to consolidate knowledge learned during the lectures, and develop applied ecology competences useful in the professional practice;
c) Exercises and quiz to verify the acquisition of knowledge and competences;
d) Field trips to learn how to measure, describe and assess forest stands.
Attendance of lectures is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Slides and course notes; study material provided by lecturers on MS Teams channels (for both attending and non attending students).
Recommended texts:
- Stanturf J., Lamb D., Madsen P. (2012) Forest Landscape Restoration, Springer.
- Lamb D. (2014) Large-scale Forest Restoration, Routledge.
- Mansourian S., Parrotta J. (2018) Forest Landscape Restoration. Integrated Approaches to Support Effective Implementation, Routledge.
- Van Andel J., Aronson J. (2012) Restoration Ecology: The New Frontier, Second edition, Wiley
- Howell E.A., Harrington J.A., Glass B.S. (2011) Introduction to Restoration Ecology, Island Press
- Rieger J., Stanley J., Traynor R. (2014) Project Planning and Management for Ecological Restoration. Island Press
- Holl K.D. (2020) Primer of ecological restoration. Island Press
Recommended texts:
- Stanturf J., Lamb D., Madsen P. (2012) Forest Landscape Restoration, Springer.
- Lamb D. (2014) Large-scale Forest Restoration, Routledge.
- Mansourian S., Parrotta J. (2018) Forest Landscape Restoration. Integrated Approaches to Support Effective Implementation, Routledge.
- Van Andel J., Aronson J. (2012) Restoration Ecology: The New Frontier, Second edition, Wiley
- Howell E.A., Harrington J.A., Glass B.S. (2011) Introduction to Restoration Ecology, Island Press
- Rieger J., Stanley J., Traynor R. (2014) Project Planning and Management for Ecological Restoration. Island Press
- Holl K.D. (2020) Primer of ecological restoration. Island Press
Remote sensing and functional ecology
Course syllabus
Remote Sensing module
Lessons (2 CFU):
- Presentation: monitoring natural resources, RS applications, RS pros and cons, course contents and resources, software
- Introduction: RS history, platforms/sensors, satellite orbits, missions, geo-spatial data/digital images, raster/vectors, data access and availability, Copernicus browser, Earth Explorer, GEE basics (code editor, scripts, docs, assets, repository, catalogues)
- Basic principles: Electromagnetic Spectrum (EM) and radiation, laws and physical quantities, interaction biosphere/EM radiation, from measurements to surface properties (reflectance), spectral properties, GEE basics (code editor, scripts, docs, assets, repository, catalogues)
- Data characteristics: satellite swath width, sensor bandwidth, processing levels, image resolutions, geometric correction, GEE: image and feature collections, metadata, filtering, visualization, Import/Export
Exercises (2 CFU):
- Image visualization and processing: image access, RGB true and false colour visualization, vegetation indices VIs, band maths, thresholds GEE mosaics and Composites from Image Collections, clip, masking, band math and indices
- Val Malga project (GEE): data, images, features
- RS of vegetation: spectral signature, leaf optical properties, plants/canopy components, LAI, soil, phenology, Vegetation Indices
- GEE Vectors and tables, raster/vector conversions, zonal statistics
- Classification principles and techniques: image interpretation, thematic classification, supervised and unsupervised classification, object-based classification, GEE: Earth Engine Objects, computation on Image collections, functions, reducers
- Change detection techniques: algorithms and applications, change detection workflow, implementation in GEE of classification and change detection algorithms
- Machine learning algorithms: definition, minimum distance algorithms, support vector machines, Random Forest, K-means, implementation of ML algorithms in GEE
- Validation and accuracy assessment: protocols, reference data, confusion matrix and accuracy metrics, regression techniques, implementation in GEE
- Time series analysis: definition of a time series, time series of vegetation indices/NDVI, trend analysis, interpolation, time series visualization, compositing techniques, time series analysis in GEE
Functional Ecology Module
Field trips and in-field training (2 CFU):
(1) Botanic gardens in Milan and the hinterland of Milan - General botany to aid tree identification
(2) The Seveso and Meda Oak Woodland - Environmental recovery of the world's first large scale chemical/industrial disaster
(3) Woodland understorey recovery project, Cislago - A visit to a project for the control of invasive Prunus serotina and the recovery of the understorey herb layer
(4) The Red Oak control project and Native Flora Centre at Monte Barro park - A visit to an ongoing project for the control of the naturalized species Quercus rubra, with a visit to the Lombardy Region's main plant conservation centre, including a germplasm bank and plant propagation laboratory.
(5) The future of spruce forests destroyed by the "Vaia" storm (Val Malga, Sonico - BS) - A visit to a forest destroyed by the "Vaia" storm. Analysis of current vegetation and future scenarios.
(6) Soil bioengineering for the stabilization and restoration of mountain slopes
(Alpe Mola, Edolo - BS) - A visit to a mountain area affected by landslides and bioengineering works for soil stabilization and restoration.
Lessons (2 CFU):
- Presentation: monitoring natural resources, RS applications, RS pros and cons, course contents and resources, software
- Introduction: RS history, platforms/sensors, satellite orbits, missions, geo-spatial data/digital images, raster/vectors, data access and availability, Copernicus browser, Earth Explorer, GEE basics (code editor, scripts, docs, assets, repository, catalogues)
- Basic principles: Electromagnetic Spectrum (EM) and radiation, laws and physical quantities, interaction biosphere/EM radiation, from measurements to surface properties (reflectance), spectral properties, GEE basics (code editor, scripts, docs, assets, repository, catalogues)
- Data characteristics: satellite swath width, sensor bandwidth, processing levels, image resolutions, geometric correction, GEE: image and feature collections, metadata, filtering, visualization, Import/Export
Exercises (2 CFU):
- Image visualization and processing: image access, RGB true and false colour visualization, vegetation indices VIs, band maths, thresholds GEE mosaics and Composites from Image Collections, clip, masking, band math and indices
- Val Malga project (GEE): data, images, features
- RS of vegetation: spectral signature, leaf optical properties, plants/canopy components, LAI, soil, phenology, Vegetation Indices
- GEE Vectors and tables, raster/vector conversions, zonal statistics
- Classification principles and techniques: image interpretation, thematic classification, supervised and unsupervised classification, object-based classification, GEE: Earth Engine Objects, computation on Image collections, functions, reducers
- Change detection techniques: algorithms and applications, change detection workflow, implementation in GEE of classification and change detection algorithms
- Machine learning algorithms: definition, minimum distance algorithms, support vector machines, Random Forest, K-means, implementation of ML algorithms in GEE
- Validation and accuracy assessment: protocols, reference data, confusion matrix and accuracy metrics, regression techniques, implementation in GEE
- Time series analysis: definition of a time series, time series of vegetation indices/NDVI, trend analysis, interpolation, time series visualization, compositing techniques, time series analysis in GEE
Functional Ecology Module
Field trips and in-field training (2 CFU):
(1) Botanic gardens in Milan and the hinterland of Milan - General botany to aid tree identification
(2) The Seveso and Meda Oak Woodland - Environmental recovery of the world's first large scale chemical/industrial disaster
(3) Woodland understorey recovery project, Cislago - A visit to a project for the control of invasive Prunus serotina and the recovery of the understorey herb layer
(4) The Red Oak control project and Native Flora Centre at Monte Barro park - A visit to an ongoing project for the control of the naturalized species Quercus rubra, with a visit to the Lombardy Region's main plant conservation centre, including a germplasm bank and plant propagation laboratory.
(5) The future of spruce forests destroyed by the "Vaia" storm (Val Malga, Sonico - BS) - A visit to a forest destroyed by the "Vaia" storm. Analysis of current vegetation and future scenarios.
(6) Soil bioengineering for the stabilization and restoration of mountain slopes
(Alpe Mola, Edolo - BS) - A visit to a mountain area affected by landslides and bioengineering works for soil stabilization and restoration.
Teaching methods
The course includes 2 CFU of lesson time, 2 CFU of lab time and 2 CFU of exercises and field trips.
The lecturers will use:
a) Lectures and group discussion to provide theoretical concepts, and develop critical thinking skills;
b) Lab and computer exercises to verify the acquisition of knowledge and competences and computer skills. Course lessons in remote sensing will be integrated with exercise in Google Earth Engine addressing major topics (data access, data visualization, image classification, accuracy assessment).
c) Field trips and exercises to learn how to measure, describe and assess vegetation functional traits.
Attendance of lectures is strongly recommended.
The lecturers will use:
a) Lectures and group discussion to provide theoretical concepts, and develop critical thinking skills;
b) Lab and computer exercises to verify the acquisition of knowledge and competences and computer skills. Course lessons in remote sensing will be integrated with exercise in Google Earth Engine addressing major topics (data access, data visualization, image classification, accuracy assessment).
c) Field trips and exercises to learn how to measure, describe and assess vegetation functional traits.
Attendance of lectures is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Lectures and lecture slides; further materials will be made available during the course (for both attending and non attending students).
Reference texts:
- Schulze D., et al. (2019) Plant Ecology. Springer
- Wegmann M., Leutner B., Dech S. (2016) Remote sensing and GIS for ecologists. Pelagic Publishing
Reference texts:
- Schulze D., et al. (2019) Plant Ecology. Springer
- Wegmann M., Leutner B., Dech S. (2016) Remote sensing and GIS for ecologists. Pelagic Publishing
Soil dynamics in ecosystem restoration
Course syllabus
Part 1:
Forest and natural soils in general: soil-based ecosystem services (carbon
stock, climate mitigation, surface and groundwater quality control, biodiversity
support, paleoenvironmental proxies) (0.5 CFU)
Soil formation processes and factors, and soil diversity in different habitats (0.5 CFU)
Soil degradation processes associated to deforestation and forest
degradation, erosion, desertification, vulnerability to climate change and
extreme events. (0.5 CFU)
Ecological properties of recovering sites and identification of reference soils
to be used for recovery. (0.5 CFU)
Soil recovery in the main forest and natural habitats subjected to degradation,
from tropics to boreal and mountain ecosystems (0.5 CFU)
Notes of legislation and economy of soil recovery (0.5 CFU)
Field activities (0.5 CFU field, 0.5 CFU data analysis in the lab):
soil characterization, description and sampling in the field
Forest and natural soils in general: soil-based ecosystem services (carbon
stock, climate mitigation, surface and groundwater quality control, biodiversity
support, paleoenvironmental proxies) (0.5 CFU)
Soil formation processes and factors, and soil diversity in different habitats (0.5 CFU)
Soil degradation processes associated to deforestation and forest
degradation, erosion, desertification, vulnerability to climate change and
extreme events. (0.5 CFU)
Ecological properties of recovering sites and identification of reference soils
to be used for recovery. (0.5 CFU)
Soil recovery in the main forest and natural habitats subjected to degradation,
from tropics to boreal and mountain ecosystems (0.5 CFU)
Notes of legislation and economy of soil recovery (0.5 CFU)
Field activities (0.5 CFU field, 0.5 CFU data analysis in the lab):
soil characterization, description and sampling in the field
Teaching methods
The course includes 3 CFU of lesson time, 0.5 CFU of lab time and 0.5 CFU of field trips.
The lecturer will use:
a) Lectures and group discussion to provide theoretical concepts, and develop critical thinking skills;
b) Lab exercises to verify the acquisition of knowledge and competences;
c) Field trips to learn how to measure, describe and assess soils.
Attendance of lectures is strongly recommended.
The lecturer will use:
a) Lectures and group discussion to provide theoretical concepts, and develop critical thinking skills;
b) Lab exercises to verify the acquisition of knowledge and competences;
c) Field trips to learn how to measure, describe and assess soils.
Attendance of lectures is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Lectures and lecture slides; further materials will be made available during the course on the MS Teams channel (for both attending and non attending students).
Forest ecology and restoration design
AGR/05 - FOREST MANAGEMENT AND SILVICULTURE - University credits: 5
Field activity: 24 hours
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 20 hours
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Vacchiano Giorgio
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Vacchiano Giorgio
Remote sensing and functional ecology
BIO/03 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND APPLIED BOTANY - University credits: 3
ICAR/06 - SURVEYING AND MAPPING - University credits: 3
ICAR/06 - SURVEYING AND MAPPING - University credits: 3
Field activity: 48 hours
Computer room practicals: 32 hours
Lessons: 8 hours
Computer room practicals: 32 hours
Lessons: 8 hours
Shifts:
Professor:
Stroppiana Daniela
Soil dynamics in ecosystem restoration
AGR/14 - PEDOLOGY - University credits: 2
GEO/05 - ENGINEERING GEOLOGY - University credits: 2
GEO/05 - ENGINEERING GEOLOGY - University credits: 2
Field activity: 8 hours
Laboratories: 8 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Laboratories: 8 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Professors:
D'Amico Michele Eugenio, Rossi Lorenzo Matteo Walter
Professor(s)
Reception:
Reception:
Tuesday 14h-16h
Via Celoria 2, edificio 5, primo piano