ECOLOGY OF COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS

The "Ecology of coastal environments" is one of the characterizing courses of the "Natural capital and ecosystem services" curriculum. The course constitutes a primer to the study of coastal aquatic ecosystems, with a particular focus on transitional waters. The course provides basic knowledge on the functioning of estuarine and lagoon ecosystems, examining in particular elements necessary to:
- evaluate anthropogenic impacts on ecosystem functions, processes and services;
- conserve and protect the biodiversity of coastal marine ecosystems;
- scientifically based management of transitional waters, with particular attention to the ecological restoration of these important environmental systems.

The course aims to provide the basic elements for the management and protection of transitional waters and coastal marine environments, with a view to the conservation and ecological restoration of these peculiar ecosystems. The main ecological values of coastal environments that must be safeguarded to ensure the maintenance of ecosystem goods and services over time The main ecological values of coastal environments that must be safeguarded to ensure the maintenance of ecosystem goods and services over time are described and explained.. In particular, the course develops issues relating to the assessment of the ecological state of transitional waters and the management of transitional aquatic ecosystems, also through the analysis of case studies. In particular, the course allows you to acquire the basic skills to carry out the ecological assessment of coastal aquatic ecosystems in order to plan and implement adequate management measures.

Basic knowledge of general and applied ecology.

Introduction and definitions.
Elements of geomorphology, circulation and mixing of water.
Elements of chemistry of coastal aquatic environments.
Primary producers: phytoplankton.
Primary producers: benthic microalgae and macroalgae.
Primary producers: seagrass meadows.
Consumers: zooplankton.
Consumers: zoobenthos.
Consumers: nekton.
Food webs of transitional waters.
Functions and processes of transitional aquatic ecosystems.
The biodiversity of transitional waters.
Fisheries and aquaculture.
Effects of global climate change on transitional waters and coastal marine environments.
Management and environmental restoration of coastal aquatic ecosystems.

Lecture slides and other teaching materials provided by the teacher on the moodle platform.

Reference texts:
- Crump B.C., Testa J.M., Denton K.H. (eds.) (2023): Estuarine Ecology. Wiley
- McLusky D.S,, Elliott M. (2004): The Estuarine Ecosystem: Ecology, Threats and Management. Oxford University Press.

Other texts (marine biology):
Roberto Danovaro, Biologia marina. Biodiversità e funzionamento degli ecosistemi marini, III edizione, UTET Università 2022

The verification of learning will be carried out through an oral exam. The student has the opportunity to carry out part of the exam in seminar form illustrating a case study.

oral

Regarding the grading (the way in which grades will be assigned), regardless of whether the student is attending or not attending:
Scores in the 18-20 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- knowledge of the topics covered in class and in the textbook just sufficient or sufficient;
- sufficient communication skills, also in relation to the use of technical-scientific terminology.
Scores in the 21-22 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- knowledge of the topics covered in class and in the manuals more than sufficient or just fair;
- communication skills more than sufficient, also in relation to the use of technical-scientific terminology
Scores in the 23-24 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- knowledge of the topics covered in class and in the manuals just fair or more than fair;
- fair communication skills, also in relation to the use of technical-scientific terminology.
Scores in the 25-26 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- good and thorough knowledge of the topics covered in class and in the textbook;
- good communication skills, also in relation to the use of technical-scientific terminology.
Scores in the 27-28 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- very good knowledge of the topics covered in class and in the textbook and with a good capacity for in-depth analysis;
- very good communication skills, also in relation to the use of technical-scientific terminology.
Scores in the 29-30 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- excellent knowledge of the topics covered in class and in the textbook and with a high capacity for in-depth analysis;
- excellent communication skills, also in relation to the use of technical-scientific terminology.
Honors will be awarded in the presence of knowledge and ability to understand applied in reference to the program, judgment skills and communication skills, excellent.

The course is organized into lectures and seminars aimed at examining both basic and applied features in depth or illustrating specific case studies.

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion.
Accommodations and Support Services for students with disabilities or with specific learning disabilities:
Ca 'Foscari applies Italian law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) for support and accommodation services available to students with disabilities or with specific learning disabilities. In case of motor, visual, hearing or other disabilities (Law 17/1999) or a specific learning disorder (Law 170/2010) and you need support (classroom assistance, technological aids for carrying out exams or individualized exams, material in accessible format, recovery of notes, specialized tutoring to support the study, interpreters or other), please contact the Disability and SLD office. Disability@unive.it.

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