The course is an introduction to botanical sciences and plant ecology.
On completion of the course students:
will have got basic knowledge on main morphological, structural and functional characteristics of plants, in particular Spermathophytes;
will have got the skill of identifying the main species of Italian landscape and the most important ornamental species living in parks, historic gardens, urban green areas;
will have developed an understanding of plant diversity;
will have learned to evaluate appropriate species for green planning on the basis of the principal ecological characteristics of plants.
General Botany learning the biological basis of the plants way of "working"
Applied Botany methodology to identify plants and name them
capacity to identify in which environment plants live
use of appropriate species in different urban and suburban contexts,
The course contents are acquired through frontal lessons in which the topics are treated.
Field activities and surveys in parks and historic gardens complete the activities carried out in the classroom with direct observation and identification of species.
Contents of the course will be:
Fundamental characteristics of plants and their role in nature.
Structure and function of plant cell; structure and function of plant tissues.
Basic concepts and terminology of plant anatomy: stem, leaf, root.
Plant adaptations to environments.
Introduction to life processes in plants: photosynthesis, respiration, water transport and balance; reproduction and growth .
Introduction to the principles of plant Taxonomy e Systematics.
Major plants groups: key features, functions and rules.
The major families and the most important species of the Italian flora.
The main species used in landscape and urban planning
General Botany
VENTURELLI F., VIRLI L., 1995 – Invito alla Botanica, Zanichelli, Bologna
Manuals of plants identifications
SIMONETTI G., GOLDSTEIN M., WATSCHINGER M., 1994 - Alberi d'Europa. Mondadori
BANFI E., CONSOLINO F., 1996 – Alberi. De Agostini
PHILLIPS R., 1984 - Riconoscere gli alberi. De Agostini
SCHAUER T., CASPARI C., 1987 - Guida all'identificazione delle piante. Zanichelli
POLUNIN O., 1977 - Guida agli alberi e arbusti d'Europa (Guide) - Zanichelli
GUIDA PRATICA AGLI ALBERI E ARBUSTI IN ITALIA. SELEZIONE DAL READER'S DIGEST, 1983 Collana "Biblioteca per chi ama la natura". Ed. orig. "Nature lover's library. Field guide to trees and shrubs" curata da E. e J. Harris, ed. italiana curata da A. Chiusoli.
M. FERRARI, D. MEDICI, 2001 - Alberi e arbusti in Italia. Manuale di riconoscimento, Il Sole 24 Ore Edagricole
ENRICA ROCCOTIELLO (President)
MAURO MARIOTTI
Second semester
Examination includes two written tests and one oral test
A 30 specimens herbarium is compulsory. Species have to be chosen among those studied during the course.
The first test is specifically designed to assess the learning of general botany, the second is related to the recognition of the main species described in the lectures and field trips.
The oral exam will focus on the entire program and aims to test the ability to integrate different aspects - theoretical and practical - discussed during the year.
