Paleoecology is the science that studies the interaction between organisms and their environment based on fossils. The detailed study of the paleoenvironment is often involves understanding of climate parameters, which presented different characteristics from now. This subject is now fundamental for exploring complex concepts such as current climate change linked to increases in CO2 in the atmosphere and increased acidity in the oceans; being able to work on a historical record of around 500 million years is a fundamental step in contributing to the scientific debate with huge quantities of data available.
The teaching activities are aimed at providing practical and theoretical tools to reconstruct the depositional environment starting from the paleontological aspects (body and trace fossils) preserved within sedimentary successions. The course follows a paleoecological transect from continental environments to abyssal plains, through deserts and coral reefs. For each depositional environment, the characterizing paleoecological properties are discussed, illustrating how to recognize, describe and interpret them.
The paleoclimatic aspect will fundamentally concern the integrated methodologies that are used for the reconstruction of the Earth's climate by taking into consideration paleooceanographic aspects and paleobiogeographical observations. The objective of teaching in this field will allow students to learn the main technical and theoretical notions for the correct interpretation of paleoenvironments with all their paleoecological and paleoclimatic characterizations.
The student will be able to:
Palaeontology (cod. 64866)
Lectures
Laboratory activities.
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
The Power Point/PDF presentations used in class are available (downloadable from Aula WEB).
Ricevimento: Students can arrange a reception by appointment
Ricevimento: Appointments can be arranged by phone, mail or Aulaweb. It is also possible to see student during office hours.
ANTONINO BRIGUGLIO (President)
ANDREA BAUCON (President Substitute)
First semester
The exam consists of an oral test, divided into a practical test and a series of questions. The practical test consists in the environmental reconstruction of a sedimentary succession on the basis of its paleontological and geochemical characteristics. The questions concern the theoretical and practical topics discussed during the teaching. The exam aims to evaluate knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the subject and competence in the use of practical-applicative tools.
Oral