AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Application of ecological theory to simple ecological investigations (real cases) to developping the capacity of understanding ecological problems and elaborating and rendering information useful for the study, characterization and management of ecosystems.

TEACHING METHODS

Exercices are presented in the classroom, and their resolution is guided by the teacher.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Biocenotics: Lepidoptera in distinct vegetal associations. Climatology: climatograms and ombrothermograms. Ecological niche: bivalves in sandy bottoms. Models of population growth: 4 problems. Growth of the global human population. Trophic levels and pyramids: 3 problems. Computation of the trophic level of an organism. Qualitative reconstruction of a trophic web: a rocky shore community. Quantitative model of trophic web: shelf benthos. Phase diagram: prey-predator system. Spatial resilience: coastal terrigenous mud communities. Diversity measurement: indices of richness, dominance, diversity, and evenness. Species-area curve: soil arthropods. Indicator species: coastal terrigenous mud communities. K-dominance curves: coastal terrigenous mud communities. Spatial distribution: wild boars in La Spezia province. Taxonomic distinctness: Magra estuary. Confinement in paralic environments: Patria and Fusaro lagoons. Personal ecological footprint (web). Personal ecological footprint (test).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The texts of all exercices are available on AulaWeb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIO PETRILLO (President)

CARLO BIANCHI

CARLA MORRI

LESSONS

Class schedule

PRACTICES IN ECOLOGY (MOD. 2)

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is integrated with "Principles of Ecology".

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Discussion of the resolution of the exercices and the commentary done individually by the student.

Exam schedule