The course deals with issues related to the management and conservation of the Earth's resources. Particular attention is paid to environmental alterations produced by man, to problems deriving from pollution and to the concept of sustainable development.
The course aims to develop the basic knowledge acquired by taking the fundamentals of ecological theory in order to apply them to the study and management of environmental problems. Conceptual and methodological aspects will be used according to different keys for the analysis of ecological systems
Students will learn the basic tools to interpret the phenomena of the biosphere with an ecological approach and, to this end, will acquire in-depth skills regarding the basic concepts of ecology and applied ecology. Through the path developed within the teaching, they will know how to interpret ecological phenomena in a system way, then framing the ecological dynamics in terms of relationships between the components that constitute them, at different hierarchical levels and at different spatial and temporal scales. Particular relevance will be given to the interpretation of the mutual interactions between nature and man and the interpretation of the consequences thereof related, contextualizing the issues related to all levels of biological organization both at energy and evolutionary levels and in wider socio-economic areas. Moreover, thanks to the tools provided during the course they will be able to carry out assessments on the management of ecosystems, understand whether human activities, existing production processes or territorial management interventions are effective and sustainable and formulate management guidelines and scenarios for the conservation and protection of ecosystems, territorial management or the implementation of productive activities. In the classroom, students will be confronted with the use of techniques and practical tools to achieve these goals, becoming familiar with them. At the end of the course, they will be able to understand, evaluate and analyze the complex dynamics that characterize nature conservation faced with the great environmental and conservation challenges.
Knowledge of the basics (concepts and vocabulary) of ecology
The course includes lectures with the active participation of the class members
Basic definitions: ecology, applied ecology, conservation ecology Systems theory Energy flows in ecosystems Environmental sustainability, concepts and definitions History of sustainability Weak and strong sustainability Ecological economics Natural capital and ecosystem services and services Sustainable development goals Biophysical and systemic tools for the assessment of sustainability and for the calculation of natural capital and ecosystem services: emerging analysis, ecological footprint, CO2 balance, ISEW Reading and interpreting basic ecology concepts in the light of the skills learned
Literature will be available on Aulaweb
Ricevimento: to be scheduled with the teacher
CHIARA PAOLI (President)
PAOLO VASSALLO (President Substitute)
Please check detailed timetable at the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/
CONSERVATION ECOLOGY
The exam is an oral test
during the exam will be verified the learning of concepts and methodologies presented and tested 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.
