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

Aims
The module provides the knowledge and tools necessary to understand the relationships among ecological factors, flora, vegetation, and landscape, with particular emphasis on the processes that determine the distribution of plant species and communities, as well as the dynamics that govern their evolution across space and time.
The course aims to develop students’ ability to read and interpret landscapes through the analysis of vegetation, recognizing its role in different environmental contexts, ranging from natural and semi-natural ecosystems to highly urbanized and human-modified environments. The module also provides the methodological foundations required to retrieve, interpret, and use floristic, vegetation, and ecological information from bibliographic sources, territorial datasets, and scientific literature in order to support design choices that are consistent with site characteristics and sustainability objectives.
At the end of the lecture sessions, students will take part in a joint design exercise within the Landscape Design Studio, aimed at applying the acquired knowledge to the analysis and design of landscape interventions in different environmental contexts.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the module, students will be able to:

• interpret landscapes through the analysis of floristic, vegetation, and ecological components;
• assess environmental complexity and the degree of naturalness or anthropogenic alteration of ecosystems and landscapes;
• understand the relationships between ecological factors, vegetation distribution, and landscape dynamics across different spatial scales;
• retrieve, analyze, and use floristic, vegetation, and ecological data from specialized and scientific sources;
• select and employ plant species and vegetation components appropriately according to site characteristics and design objectives;
• integrate botanical and ecological knowledge into landscape design processes in natural, rural, and urban contexts;
• apply the acquired knowledge through an interdisciplinary design exercise carried out within the Landscape Design Studio.

PREREQUISITES

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

TEACHING METHODS

The module consists of lectures supported by multimedia presentations and teaching materials designed to facilitate the understanding of the topics covered. All teaching materials will be made available through the AulaWeb platform.

The teaching activities are aimed at providing students with the tools required to analyze and interpret vegetation and its relationships with environmental and landscape contexts. At the end of the lecture sessions, the acquired knowledge will be applied through a joint design exercise carried out within the Landscape Design Studio.

Students with certified disabilities, specific learning disorders (SLD), or other special educational needs, whose documentation has been formally submitted to the University, are encouraged to contact both the instructor and the Departmental Disability and SLD Coordinator in order to arrange any appropriate accommodations for teaching activities and assessments.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Plant Ecology for Landscape Interpretation: concepts of plant communities, populations, and habitats; relationships between the physical environment and vegetation; the role of physiographic, edaphic, and biotic factors in shaping the distribution of plant species and communities. Analysis of selected case studies.
• Soils as a Key Component of Landscapes: soil formation and development processes; soil texture, structure, and porosity; chemical properties and nutrient availability; organic matter, humus, pH, and soil water dynamics. Relationships between soil characteristics and vegetation patterns.
• Plant Populations, Biodiversity, and Ecosystem Structure: population dynamics, genetic and species diversity, spatial distribution patterns, ecotones, and their role in landscape structure and ecosystem functioning.
• Forest Ecosystems and Agroecosystems: characteristics and dynamics of tree stands; ecological succession and developmental stages; principles of forestry, reforestation, and sustainable vegetation management.
• Vegetation Analysis and Interpretation: concepts of potential, original, and current vegetation; vertical and horizontal vegetation structure; physiognomic characteristics; methods for vegetation survey, analysis, and monitoring; vegetation dynamics and temporal changes.
• Italian Vegetation Types and Habitats: major vegetation types and habitats occurring in Italy; impacts of environmental stressors and anthropogenic pressures on vegetation patterns; implications for conservation and landscape planning.
• Biodiversity and Sustainability in Landscape Design: biodiversity concepts across different scales, biodiversity hotspots, ecosystem services, and principles of environmental sustainability applied to landscape planning and design.
• Integrated Design Exercise: application of ecological and botanical principles through a joint exercise within the Landscape Design Studio, aimed at analyzing landscape contexts and developing site-specific design strategies in different environmental settings.

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

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 or in-class excercises may be conducted throughout the year to periodically assess learning progress.

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.