| CODE | 107018 |
|---|---|
| ACADEMIC YEAR | 2022/2023 |
| CREDITS |
|
| SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR | BIO/07 |
| TEACHING LOCATION |
|
| SEMESTER | 1° Semester |
| TEACHING MATERIALS | AULAWEB |
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:
Introduction to Restoration Ecology
Definition and historical notes
Regulatory framework
From conservation to restoration
Why restore?
The example of coastal marine ecosystems
The ecological restoration process
Standards of Practices by SER
Underpinning Assumptions by SER
Theoretical foundations
Landscape ecology
Ecosystem functions and services
Disturb
Succession
Fragmentation and homogenization
Resistance and Resilience
Metapopulations and metacommunity
Ecosystem functions and services
Ecological restoration and invasive species
Invasive alien species (IAS): who are they?
Routes of invasion
What determines the success of the invasion
Impact of invasive species
Regulatory framework
Active vs preventive management of invasive species
Restoration as an active management tool
Novel ecosystems
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
Climate change
The role of man
Effects on ecosystems
The role of Restoration Ecology
Restoration challenges in a changing world
New paradigms for Restoration Ecology
Marine restoration cases
Marine algal forests
Coral restoration
Seagrass meadows
Restoration in the terrestrial environment
Planning
Aquatic systems (focus on lakes)
Salt marshes and mangroves
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
Office hours: The reception of the students will be arranged directly with the teacher.
Office hours: Students are received by appointment, agreed directly with the teacher by email (valentina.asnaghi@unige.it) or via Aulaweb.
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.
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).
The exam will begin with the presentation of a case study (among those proposed in class or chosen by the student) and will continue with some questions relating to the topics covered in class.
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.
| Date | Time | Location | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16/01/2023 | 10:00 | GENOVA | Orale | |
| 31/01/2023 | 10:00 | GENOVA | Orale | |
| 13/02/2023 | 10:00 | GENOVA | Orale | |
| 10/07/2023 | 10:00 | GENOVA | Orale | |
| 11/09/2023 | 10:00 | GENOVA | Orale |
Frequency is recommended.