ECOLOGY II AND LAB

The course aims to provide students with practical knowledge of applied ecology on ecological systems on a multidisciplinary scale, integrating biological, chemical, physical and sedimentological knowledge with applications and statistical elaborations.The tests proposed here are integrated with those of class II held by Prof. Anna Maria Volpi, in order to give complementary knowledge on the applied ecology.

In particular, the laboratory tests aim to make known both the main physico-chemical field measurements and the basic biological elements closely related to environmental and climatic variations.

The aim is to learn about the parameters related to the main environmental processes and the interaction between biotic and abiotic elements for the evaluation of the environmental quality and the management of the environment.

The course is divided into two modules of 30 hours each and consists of 6 laboratory tests of 5 hours each, repeated twice.
Each laboratory test is preceded by an hour of lesson on the topic covered by the test itself.

The attendance and active participation in the laboratory activities proposed by the course and individual study will allow students to:

1. Knowledge and understanding
1.1. become familiar with the techniques, procedures and small laboratory instruments;

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
2.1. understand simple analytical procedures for the determination of the most common physico-chemical analyzes and environmental variables;

3. Ability to judge
3.1. know how to choose the most suitable procedures for each laboratory operation
3.2. know how to evaluate the value and the meaning of the acquired data.

Courses of Animal Biology, Plant Biology, Biodiversity Laboratory; Ecology I and laboratory; Environmental chemistry

During the course many tests are carried out to determine the most common physico-chemical parameters and nutrients in different environmental matrices (water, sediments, interstitial waters, macrophytes). In addition to the didactic knowledge, the aim is to become familiar with the normal equipment and small laboratory instruments by learning the working methods common to all the analytical procedures. Specifically, each laboratory test deals with various topics and at least one practical test.

The six laboratory tests are:
1) Methods for the determination of salinity and dissolved oxygen. In practice, the salinity is determined by titration of chlorides on some lagoon samples. Furthermore, the ecological role of these two environmental parameters is assessed.
2) Determination of a calibration line for nutrient analysis. Specifically, a calibration line is made to determine the phosphorus starting from an anhydrous dihydrogene phosphate salt.
3) determination of the main nutrients (orthophosphates, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates) in the water column with a reference to nitrogen and phosphorus cycles. In practice, the concentrations of the reactive phosphorus and of the nitrites in some samples of lagoon waters is determined by evaluating the trophic status of the examined waters.
4 Determination of the fine fraction (<63μm), humidity, porosity and density of various types of sediment. In practice, the humidity, porosity and density of some samples of lagoon sediments is determined to understand their environmental implications. At the same time, interstitial waters for the determination of nutrients are extracted from the same samples, specifically orthophosphates and nitrites.
5) Determination of chlorophylls and phaeopigments in the water column and in the tissues of algae and plants. It is a chemical analysis to roughly determine the phytoplankton biomass. In practice, chlorophyll-a and phaeopigments are extracted and analyzed in some samples of lagoon or river waters and their ecological significance is evaluated.
6) Determination of total inorganic and organic phosphorus in sediments, particulate matter and plant samples. Specific sediment samples are extracted for the determination of inorganic phosphorus.

Given the transversal nature of the course, no texts are necessary. Before each lesson students will be provided with texts in Word, Excel or Power Point all the information necessary to complete the course.

The attendance and active participation in the laboratory activities proposed by the course and individual study will allow students to:

1. Knowledge and understanding
1.1. become familiar with the techniques, procedures and the use of small laboratory instruments;

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
2.1. understand simple analytical procedures for the determination of the most common physico-chemical analyzes and environmental variables;

3. Ability to judge
3.1. know how to choose the most suitable procedures for each laboratory operation
3.2. know how to evaluate the value and the meaning of the acquired data.

Lessons are held with presentations in Word or Power point that are sent to students the day before each lesson. In addition, for some topics students are provided with scientific articles on the main topics covered.

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This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Natural capital and environmental quality" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development