The course aims to provide students with a different perspective of marine ecosystems, based on the concepts of natural capital and ecosystem services that, according to the latest indications of the European Commission, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the European Green Deal, are the cornerstone for the protection of biodiversity and require urgent implementing instruments.
The course is designed to provide students with theoretical and practical tools for the analysis of marine ecosystems with a view to their conservation and sustainable management. From a theoretical point of view, students will acquire in-depth knowledge of the theory of natural capital and ecosystem services. From a practical point of view, through calculation laboratories, students will learn how to quantify the biophysical and intrinsic value of species and/or ecosystems.
Participation in the planned training activities will allow to acquire the tools to fully realize the study of the value of marine ecosystems and formulate actions aimed at its conservation and sustainable management Specifically, the student will learn how to: Quantifying the biomass stored by marine species and ecosystems for the purpose of calculating natural capital Carrying out analysis of the trophic structure of ecosystems Quantifying the intrinsic natural capital stored by species and ecosystems Identifying ecosystem services provided marine ecosystems Quantifying the natural capital damage of human activities on marine ecosystems
It is strongly recommended that students have attended the courses of Environmental Accounting or Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services or that they have acquired theoretical skills in environmental accounting and environmental sustainability and application of system theory methodologies. The teaching represents, in fact, a practical study for the application of environmental accounting tools and / or environmental sustainability.
Classroom lectures and classroom exercises and workshops
Introduction to natural capital concepts and ecosystem services
Presentation of case studies to evaluate elements of natural capital through emerging and/or ecological footprint analysis
Presentation of case studies evaluating ecosystem services through emerging analysis and/or ecological footprint
Shared realization of one or more projects in the classroom, also with role simulations and conflict resolution.
Teaching content will be adapted to classroom skills so as to maximize learning for students
Ricevimento: to be scheduled with the teacher
CHIARA PAOLI (President)
PAOLO VASSALLO
CRISTINA MISIC (Substitute)
to be scheduled with the teacher
NATURAL CAPITAL OF MARINE ECOSYSTEMS
Written text with exercices
The exam will be realised in order to ensure that students have learned the techniques explained and experienced in class
Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.
