OVERVIEW

The module 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 most recent indications of the European Commission, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the European Green Deal, represent the cornerstone for the protection of biodiversity and require urgent implementation tools.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module 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.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Participation in the scheduled training activities will allow the acquisition of the tools to fully carry out the study of the value of marine ecosystems and formulate actions aimed at their conservation and sustainable management

Specifically, the student will learn how to:

Quantify the biomass stored by marine species and ecosystems to calculate natural capital

Carry out analyses of the trophic structure of ecosystems

Quantify the intrinsic natural capital stored by species and ecosystems

Identify the ecosystem services provided by marine ecosystems

Quantify the damage in terms of the natural capital of human activities on marine ecosystems

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures in the classroom, exercises, and laboratories in class. 

Attendance at classes is strongly recommended, while attendance at practical and laboratory activities is mandatory at 75%.

The way lessons are taught may be modified due to emergencies that prevent in-person lessons from being held. In this case, classes will be held via the Teams platform using suitable substitute teaching tools.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction to the concepts of natural capital and ecosystem services

Presentation of case studies of the evaluation of elements of natural capital through emergy analysis and/or ecological footprint

Presentation of case studies of the evaluation of ecosystem services through emergy analysis and/or ecological footprint

Shared implementation of one or more projects in the classroom, also with role simulations and conflict resolution

The content of the teaching will be adapted to the skills of the class to maximise learning for students

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Herman E. Daly, Joshua Farley. Ecological Economics, Second Edition: Principles and Applications. Island Press

Herman e. Daly. Beyond growth: the economics of sustainable development. Beacon press

Herman e. Daly. An introduction to ecological economics, second edition. Crc press

Robert Costanza, John H Cumberland, Herman Daly, Robert Goodland, Richard B Norgaard, Ida Kubiszewski, Carol Franco. Ecological economics and sustainable development: selected essays of herman daly (advances in ecological economics). Edward elgar publishing

Rossi, s., Bramanti, l., Gori, a., & orejas, c. (2017). Marine animal forests. The Ecology of benthic biodiversity hotspots. Cham: springer international publishing.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For lessons start and timetable visit: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written test with exercises.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The assessment will focus on verifying the learning of the techniques explained and tested in class.

FURTHER INFORMATION

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.