OVERVIEW

The teaching focuses on botanical knowledge related to the distribution of plant organisms in different environmental contexts, their adaptive strategies, their relationships with abiotic and biotic factors, including alterations due to human activities, with a focus on the concept of environmental sustainability.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching will provide tools for understanding key concepts in ecology and plant ecology, delving into the factors that influence plant life and their distribution. The main objective is to help students grasp the complexity of relationships between organisms and between organisms and the environment, so they understand how a project can integrate into the surrounding plant landscape in the medium and long term.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching provides tools to: i) understand the interactions between ecological factors and distribution characteristics and how these influence the different abilities of species and plant communities to associate from local to global scales and vegetation dynamics; ii) comprehend and use data concerning flora and vegetation obtained from specialist texts, bibliographic data, and scientific publications for the correct use of the floristic component in green projects.

In particular, the aim is to train students in an approach that considers the interactions between ecological factors, the distribution of plant communities, as well as their influence on species and phytocoenosis at different scales and vegetation dynamics, with a practical focus that enables students to apply this knowledge in various design fields.

Specifically, by the end of the course, the student will have acquired the basics to:

• evaluate the environmental complexity and the degree of naturalness/alteration of the plant component;
• develop, in relation to the context and design objectives, the available information on local vegetation concerning ecological factors and sustainability.

PREREQUISITES

Possess the basic knowledge of Botany Applied to Architecture and Landscape.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching includes lectures, conducted with the support of PowerPoint presentations that illustrate the concepts and content orally presented by the instructors. These materials are made available on Aulaweb.

The course includes field trips aimed at putting into practice the theoretical knowledge provided and discussed during the lectures.

Students with a valid certification of physical or learning disabilities filed with the University who wish to request compensatory tools, dispensatory measures, or other accommodations for lessons, assignments, and exams should speak with both the instructor and the Department's disability representative.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Analysis of the ecological/botanical elements of a plant community. Concepts of: plant community; population; physical environment; physiographic factors; edaphic factors; biological factors. Examples.
• Soil and its evolution. Texture and porosity. Soil chemistry and nutrients. The organic component of soil. Humus. pH. Water in soil.
• Population. Variations over time. Population structure. Habitat. Species diversity and genetic diversity. Spatial distribution. Ecotones.
• Agroecosystems and Silviculture. Tree population and its evolutionary stages. Reforestation. Forest management forms.
• Concept of vegetation. Original vegetation, current vegetation, and potential vegetation. Vegetation analysis. Vertical and horizontal structure. Physiognomy. Methods of studying vegetation. Vegetation dynamics.
• Main types of vegetation and habitats present in Italy, their alteration in relation to stress and pressures.
• Biodiversity, biodiversity hotspots, environmental sustainability.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The notes taken during lectures are essential for exam preparation as there is no specific textbook for the course.

Books that can provide help and/or supplement the notes:

• Pignatti S. (ed.), 1995. Ecologia vegetale. UTET, Torino
• IPLA (ed.), 2008. I tipi forestali della Liguria. Regione Liguria & Erga Edizioni. Downloadable from: http://www.agriligurianet.it/it/vetrina/boschi-e-foreste/tipi-forestali.html
• Mariotti M., 2008. Natura 2000 in Liguria. Atlante degli Habitat – Regione Liguria, 592 pp. Downloadable from: http://www.ambienteinliguria.it
• AA.VV. Habitat Italia. http://vnr.unipg.it/habitat/index.jsp

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ENRICA ROCCOTIELLO (President)

CHIARA VALLESE

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Please consult the detailed schedule at the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The acquisition of the concepts acquired during lessons and the ability to present them correctly are assessed through an oral exam that includes various questions covering the entire program and field activities. In addition to the knowledge of the topics discussed, the ability to correlate them with the principles of plant ecology is also evaluated.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

In addition to the oral exam, which determines the final grade, written tests may be conducted throughout the year to periodically assess learning progress.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Regular attendance is strongly recommended.

Students who are off-course and need to take Environmental Botany with codes other than 65798, corresponding to 8 credits, must agree on program integration with the instructors.