OVERVIEW

Antarctica and the Southern Ocean represent extreme environments, where ecological processes follow peculiar and often surprising pathways. These areas also deeply influence the energy and material balance of all oceans and land. Global changes are also felt in these remote areas, making the knowledge of ecological dynamics essential for the understanding of the large-scale modifications of our planet.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Allow the student to deepen the knowledge of the role of the Antarctic continent (with particular reference to the marine environment) in global energy and material budgets, through the study of the main physical, chemical and biological features, biological resources and their management.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the class the student will learn to:

• define and describe the main ecological processes of the Antarctic environment

• highlight the links between the Antarctic area and the rest of the planet

• identify the role and critical points of the processes that take place in the Antarctic area, including the influence of human activity

• synthesize and effectively communicate what has been learned using an appropriate vocabulary.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of ecology is required to effectively address the teaching content.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching consists of lectures.

Lectures in the classroom are delivered through multimedia presentations.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The teacnhing program includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:

- General information on the Antarctic continent

- Life on land and in inland waters

- Foundations of hydrology and hydrodynamism of the Southern Ocean

- Role of the Southern Ocean in global circulation and thermal balance

- Marine primary production and its limiting factors

- Material flows and pelagic-benthic coupling

- The benthic communities: structure and functioning

- The fish fauna: origins, adaptations and exploitation

- Seabirds: distribution and characteristics

- Marine mammals: distribution, characteristics and historical exploitation

- Conservation and exploitation of resources

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All presentations used during lessons and other teaching materials will be available on AulaWeb at the end of the course.

Updated information is provided through the scientific publications discussed during the lesson.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIACHIARA CHIANTORE (President)

CRISTINA MISIC (President)

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral test concerning the topics covered in the course. The exam is passed if the student has obtained a grade greater than or equal to 18/30.

Five appeals will be available in the summer session (June, July, September) and 2 calls in the winter session (January-February).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Details on how to prepare for the exam and the degree of detail required for each topic will be provided during the lessons.

The exam will verify the actual acquisition of knowledge, which the student will have to be able to connect and integrate. The ability to synthesize and recognize the main aspects of the topic will be evaluated and the ability to expose the arguments clearly and with correct terminology will also be considered.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Frequency is recommended.