Restoration Ecology is the academic study of the process in support of the practice of ecological restoration, that is the restoration of damaged or destroyed ecosystems, through interventions and active actions. This is a particularly hot topic because the decade for the restoration of ecosystems begins this year.
The course aims to make the student acquire the basic knowledge, inherent to the regulatory framework, the principles for assessing the conditions of degradation and the practices implemented to restore good ecosystem functioning.
The course aims to provide a picture of the global effort for the recovery and restoration of species and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Particular attention will be paid to learning to identify the causes that led to the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services. Students will learn to evaluate if and ihow it is feasible to undertake ecological restoration actions. Finally, students will be instructed on how to monitor ecological restoration actions to evaluate their effectiveness and replicability.
There are no specific prerequisites, but basic knowledge of ecology is recommended to effectively address the teaching content.
The teaching consists of lectures and invited seminars.
Lectures in the classroom are delivered through multimedia presentations.
The teaching program includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:
• Definition and historical notes
• Theoretical foundations:
Landscape ecology
Ecosystem functions and services
Disturb
Succession
Fragmentation and homogenization
• Ecology of restoration and biology of conservation
• Restoration and biological invasions
• Regulatory framework
• The principles and challenges of ecological restoration
• Planning, implementation and monitoring of ecological restoration actions
• Ecological conservation and restoration in the context of climate change
• Ecological restoration and invasive species
• Restoration cases: successes and failures
Available (downloadable from Aulaweb or from the teacher). Power Point of lessons and scientific articles.
Some recommended texts:
Jelte van Andel & James Aronson (eds.), Restoration Ecology: The New Frontier, 2nd Edition, Wiley Blackwel
Andre F. Clewell & James Aronson, Ecological Restoration: Principles, Values, and Structure of an Emerging Profession, Society for Ecological Restoration
Margaret A. Palmer, Joy B. Zedler & Donald A. Falk (eds.), Foundations of Restoration Ecology, Society for Ecological Restoration
Karen D. Holl, Primer of Ecological Restoration, Island Pr
Ricevimento: The reception of the students will be arranged directly with the teacher.
MARIACHIARA CHIANTORE (President)
VALENTINA ASNAGHI (President Substitute)
The start of the lessons will be agreed with the teachers, who will organize a meeting with the students interested in the subject.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
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).
For the exam, students can use a topic of their choice as the first question.
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.
Frequency is recommended.
