ECOLOGY II AND LABORATORY - PART 1

Teaching provides basic knowledge of applied ecology. Applied ecology, based on knowledge of the structure and functioning of ecosystems and their components at different spatio-temporal scales, identifies conceptual models, defines ecological principles, processes, and components of ecosystems useful for measuring and controlling the impacts of human activities on natural resources and environmental quality. The educational objectives of the teaching aim to deepen understanding of the structure, functioning, and some ecosystem processes, with particular regard to the benthic compartment (decomposers, primary producers), to introduce some of the main causes of alteration and impacts on aquatic systems, and to provide a basis for the use of ecological principles, natural processes, and components of ecosystems in order to safeguard and restore their structure and functioning.
The course is organized into two modules: module 1 (theoretical lessons for all enrolled students) and module 2 (laboratory experiences, preceded by 15-20 minutes of theoretical framing, which will be replicated in 2 classes of students)

Teaching aims to contribute to the student's acquisition of the necessary knowledge to analyze some important physical, chemical (pollution and its main forms), and biological (impacts on biodiversity, introduction of biotoxins and alien species) changes in aquatic environments. The course will also allow the student to learn fundamental ecological principles and methodologies for the protection/safeguarding, assessment of quality, and rehabilitation of aquatic environments. The practical module (module 2), closely linked to the theoretical one (module 1), will enable students to acquire qualitative/quantitative bio-ecological methodologies and bioindicators, with the goal of identifying responses to gradients of environmental pressure in the populations and communities analyzed.

Preparatory courses of the three-year period: Animal Biology, Plant Biology, Biodiversity Laboratory, Ecology I and laboratory, Environmental Chemistry, Microbiology

• Modifications of the hydrological cycle and aquatic ecosystems. Types of pressures/impacts. Ecological principles for the protection and sustainable management of water resources and aquatic ecosystems. Types of water pollution: physical, chemical, and biological. The protection of aquatic environments: criteria, objectives, and quality standards.
• Modifications of the organic matter cycle: decomposition processes in soils and sediments; effects from metabolizable organic substances in aquatic environments. Sustainable management of the cycle.
• Modifications of the N and P cycle from the global scale to the local scale. Eutrophication processes in aquatic environments. Methods for assessing trophic levels in freshwater, transitional, and marine-coastal waters. Protection and restoration strategies for eutrophicated water bodies (upstream, downstream, and on the water body itself).
• Control of biodegradable organic loads and nutrients: introduction to the principles of biological treatment (II and III stage). Types of bacteria and biological processes involved in treatment processes. Introduction to phytodepuration and natural treatment of wastewater; types of aquatic systems with a focus on wetlands.
• Introduction to Ecotoxicology: principles, approaches, areas of application, and methods. Biological fate of pollutants: bioconcentration, bioaccumulation, biomagnification. Measurement of toxicity on single species (acute and chronic effects).
• Bioindication: basic concepts, the 5 B's. Classification of bioindicators; requirements for bioindicators and biological indices. Indicators at the single species level. Introduction to ecotoxicological indicators.

Galassi S., Ferrari I., Viaroli P. Introduzione all’ecologia applicata. Dalla teoria alla pratica della sostenibilità. Città Studi Edizioni.

The text will be supplemented with specific material provided by the teacher (handouts and scientific articles).

The assessment of learning is carried out through a three-hour written test that consists of open-ended questions aimed at evaluating the level of understanding of the fundamental topics of applied ecology covered during the teaching course, closed-ended questions (multiple choice) on more specific and/or supplementary topics discussed during the course (for example, related to specialized seminars), and an optional question for improving the grade and/or achieving honors.
The written exam (module 1) is rated out of thirty and will contribute 70% to the final grade of the Ecology II course and lab.

written

The 4 open-ended questions will contribute a maximum of 24 points out of 30 to the final grade (maximum 6 points per question). The closed-ended questions will contribute a maximum of 6 points out of 30 to the final grade (2 points per question). The optional question will contribute a maximum of 4 points.

The teaching course is organized into lectures (module 1) and laboratory exercises (module 2). Module 1 consists of 15 lectures aimed at all students covering basic topics in applied ecology. The lectures delivered by the instructor may be supplemented with specialized seminars. The slides used during the course will be made available to students immediately after the lesson in the classroom. For the methods used in module 2, please refer to the specific Syllabus.

Support and accommodation services will be made available to students with disabilities or with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD). In case of disability (Law 17/1999) or SLD (Law 170/2010) and if you need support (assistance in class, technological aids for the examination process or individualized exams, materials in accessible format, note recovery, specialized tutoring to support study, interpreters or other) please contact the Disability and SLD office at Cà Foscari.

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