OVERVIEW

Applied Ecology aims to study the interactions between human activity and ecosystems. Applied Ecology deals with the impacts that the natural environment undergoes and the transformations of ecosystem processes in response to such pressures. Ecosystem services, the resource availability and exploitation efficiency will be discussed in relation to the principles of sustainability.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Within the Course of Study in Environmental and Natural Sciences - Environment curriculum, the Applied Ecology course is the continuation of the Ecology course, in which it has its theoretical foundations.

The effect of human activities on ecosystems is extremely varied and constantly evolving. Scientific research constantly sheds light on new details of these relationships. Furthermore, techniques and technologies for the evaluation, management and exploitation of resources are quickly developing. The Applied Ecology course aims to illustrate some of these aspects, with reference to the marine environment. The course aims to provide students with the fundamental elements for understanding the human impact, acquiring the ability to analyse its causes, effects and interrelationships between different processes. Furthermore, the course provides the basis for a holistic approach to the evaluation and management of resources.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to:

• provide theoretical bases on the relationships between human activities and ecosystems

• stimulate students to interpret the proposed themes also considering their personal skills

• suggest to students the most suitable methodologies to approach the evaluation of an applied problem

• train students to collect scientific data

• increase students' communication skills in applied scientific fields

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

• identify the main aspects of some relationships between human activities and ecosystems

• critically expose these aspects with appropriate vocabulary

• understand the insights provided by scientific literature regarding the considered aspects

• critically interpret the sources of information available on the topics covered

PREREQUISITES

Knowledge of the basics (concepts and vocabulary) of ecology

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes lectures for a total of 5 CFU and laboratory activities for 1 CFU. Laboratory experiences will be introduced during lectures, with an analysis of the topics related to the activities and methodologies to be applied. In the practical part, students, divided into groups, will organize an experience that will last approximately for the entire duration of the course. The organization and dates of the laboratory activities will be communicated directly by the teacher at the beginning of the lessons.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Global effects: acid rain, greenhouse gas emissions, stratospheric ozone depletion, climate change.

Aquatic dystrophies: eutrophication, mucilage, Harmful Algal Blooms.

Emerging pollutants: plastic, degradation of new plastics (biobased and compostable).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Presentations will be provided on Aulaweb before the lessons. Reference scientific articles related to the topics covered will also be made available and the methodologies for finding further information articles for further study will be illustrated.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

APPLIED ECOLOGY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a written part, consisting of three open questions related to the topics covered, and a short oral discussion, with the possible aid of a multimedia presentation, of the laboratory experiences and the results achieved. To access the oral exam, students must have passed the written exam with a minimum grade of 18/30 and the grade obtained will be used in the final evaluation by making the weighted average on the number of CFU attributed to the two parts.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Details on how to prepare for the exam will be provided during the lessons. The written exam will verify the actual acquisition of basic knowledge on the topics covered and the student's ability to desxcribe the topics with a scientifically sounding approach and adequate vocabulary. The oral exam will evaluate the student's ability to isolate the main aspects of a problem and suggest the most appropriate approaches to solve/monitor it. Skills such as teamwork, communication, creativity, critical thinking, proactivity will also be assessed.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Constant attendance and active participation to lab activity is recommended.