ECOLOGY OF ECOLOGICAL METHODS

The course provides the knowledge of general ecology essential for the achievement of the learning goals of the graduate program in Environmental Sciences. In particular, the module of "Ecology I" contributes to providing the necessary conceptual and methodological bases:
- for the study of the relationships between living organisms and their environment;
- for understanding the role of organisms in communities and ecosystems;
- to interpret the complexity of mechanisms that govern the functioning of natural ecosystems, both aquatic and terrestrial.

Ecology, by definition, is the study of the relationships between living organisms and their environment. Actually, it is a complex scientific discipline, articulated in different subdisciplines, each one characterized by specific approaches and methods of investigation. The course of "Ecology I and Laboratory of Methods of Analysis of Ecological Systems" aims to provide both the basic knowledge of general ecology and an introduction to the main ecological sub-disciplines. The study of ecology is in fact addressed to different levels (individual. population, community, ecosystem and landscape). In particular, the conceptual bases are provided for understanding the adaptations of plant and animal organisms to the environment, the factors that regulate the spatial distribution of species and population growth, the role of biological interactions in determining the structure of communities and the functioning of ecosystems, the role of the disturbance in determining ecological dynamics. Finally, the course aims to contribute to the acquisition by the student of the knowledge necessary for the assessment and management of environmental systems, in a perspective of conservation, enhancement and restoration of ecosystems and natural processes. The course also provides an introduction to the methods used to collect and analyze ecological data.

Basic knowledge of animal biology and plant biology.

The physical environment. The Biosphere. Ecology at the individual level: Conditions and resources; Adaptations of organisms to the environment; Tolerance ranges; Limiting factors; The ecological niche. Ecology of populations: Distribution and abundance of populations; Life tables; Population growth models; Controlling factors of population size; Models and evolution of life cycles; Metapopulations. Interactions between species: Coevolution; The interspecific competition: the principle of competitive exclusion, the competition model of Lotka-Volterra, trophic niche, factors promoting coexistence, character displacement; Predation: predation model of Lotka-Volterra, functional response of the predator, numerical response of the predator, risk of predation, adaptations and anti-predatory responses. Community ecology: Community Structure; Ecological diversity; Ecological succession; Natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Ecology of ecosystems: Food chains and food webs; Dominant species and "keystone" species; Trophic levels; Primary Production; Secondary production; Ecological efficiencies;Bottom up control and top down control; Organic matter decomposition; Nutrient dynamics; Biogeochemical cycles. Ecological effects of global climate change.

Slides of lessons and other learniing materials

Textbook:

- Cain L.C., Bowman W.D., Hacker S.D., 2017. Ecologia. Piccin Nuova Libraria S.p.A., Padova.
- Thomas M. Smith, Robert Leo Smith - Elementi di ecologia. Pearson Italia, Milano, Torino
- Henderson P.A., 2003. Pratical methods in ecology. Wiley-Blackwell, 163 pp.

Due to the persistence of the emergency due to the covid pandemic, the exam will take place in oral form.

The course is organized in lectures and in laboratory work. The "Ecology I" module consists of lectures that address the main topics of ecology at the levels of individual, population, community and ecosystem and ecological landscape. The lectures can be integrated with specialized seminars. The slides used for lessons will be made available on the online platform. The laboratory activity consists of both practical experiences and numerical exercises.

Italian

written