Fundamentals of Ecology for Geography

The course aims at providing students with basic knowledge of ecology such as the study of the distribution and abundance of organisms, as well as their interactions. In addition, the attention will be focused on the matter distribution and energy flux in the ecosphere. The aim is to give the students a broad and comprehensive understanding of ecological system functioning at different level of ecological organization, highlighting the interaction among ecology and geography and the effects of the anthropogenic impact. In addition, discussion will be stimulated regarding key topics such as environmental sustainability and the conservation of natural resources.

At the end of the course students must have acquired the basic elements of ecology as the adaptations of the organisms to the environment, population dynamics, interaction among organisms in a community, the biodiversity concept, the flux of energy and matter distribution in the ecosystems, the anthropogenic impacts on the ecosystems and the environmental sustainability. Those competences will be acquired by frontal teaching combined with practical activities (laboratories / field excursions) and with workgroups. The development of the communication skills, stimulated by interactive lectures and brief presentations, will also be particularly important.