OVERVIEW

The course introduces to plant sciences and plant ecology.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

General Botany

• learning the biological bases on how the plants  "work"  

Applied Botany

• methodology to identify and to name plants;
• ability to identify in which environment plants live;
• use of appropriate plant species in different urban and suburban contexts;
• knowledge of ecosystem services and disservices provided by plants on urban scale (mitigation of atmospheric pollution, risks from  the use of allergenic plants, etc.);
• knowledge of plants to be used in urban design, based on the Ministry of the Environment Guideline.

TEACHING METHODS

The course contents are acquired through frontal teaching and field activities.

Field activities and surveys in parks, historic and botanical gardens complete the activities carried out in the classroom with direct observation and identification of plant species.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Contents of the course:

• 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.
• Urban green and mitigation of atmospheric pollution.
• Urban green: ecosystem services and disservices (with particular reference to allergenic plants).
• Green for urban design according to the Ministry of the Environment Guidelines.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Reference text

DUFFY TURNER K. Botany for Designers: A Practical Guide for Landscape Architects and Other Professionals, W. W. Norton & Company

General Botany

VENTURELLI F., VIRLI L., 1995 – Invito alla Botanica, Zanichelli, Bologna

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ENRICA ROCCOTIELLO (President)

MAURO MARIOTTI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Second half of the academic year.

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Examination includes two written tests and one oral test.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The first test verify 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 whole program and aims to test the ability to integrate theoretical and practical aspects discussed during the year.

Exam schedule