ECOLOGY II AND LABORATORY - PART 2

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 which will be replicated in 2 classes of students)

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

The module is organized into 10 laboratory experiences, each preceded by 15-20 minutes of theoretical framing.

SOIL DECOMPOSERS - Macro and mesofauna of the soil: morphology, adaptations, trophic roles, and community structure. Litter communities (macrofauna); Edaphic communities of various soil types (mesofauna) focusing on microarthropod decomposers of organic matter.
DECOMPOSERS OF FRESHWATER ENVIRONMENTS - Benthic macroinvertebrates: the pre-imaginal stages of Diptera, morphology, adaptations to lotic and lentic waters, trophic roles.
DIPTERA AND INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL - Life cycle of a family of diptera of sanitary interest: Culicidae and /or Simulidae. Identification of adults and larval stages for the purpose of controlling development, combating invasive species, and associated health-related diseases.
MICROBIAL DECOMPOSERS Microfauna and its role in the decomposition processes of organic matter: Community structure and analysis of the trophic network of active sludge from a biological treatment plant. Quantitative measurements of density and diversity.
PRIMARY PRODUCERS - Freshwater macrophytes: identification of algae and aquatic plants in a spring watercourse in Veneto. Trophic indicators.
PRIMARY PRODUCERS - Marine phanerogams and coastal transitional environments. Ecological importance, identification, biometric measures and biomass.
ECOTOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS - Phytotoxicity of heavy metals: Setup of an ecotoxicological test with early stages of higher plants; measurement of toxic effects of essential and non-essential metals. ECOTOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS - Phytotoxicity of heavy metals: Reading tests and analysis of responses to toxic substances: effects on germination and growth of seedlings with the application of ecotoxicological indices; comparison between manual measurements/software measurements with ImageJ.
BIOINDICATORS AT THE SPECIES LEVEL - Filter-feeders: biometrics and determination of condition indices in marine bivalve populations (natural and/or farmed populations)
BIOINDICATORS AT THE SPECIES LEVEL - Deposit-feeders: polychaetes as indicators of bioaccumulation: taxonomic approach and biometric measurements; application of a protocol for the study of bioaccumulation.

The PowerPoint of the preparatory lesson will be supplemented by specific material provided by the teacher (protocols, scientific articles, etc.)

The assessment of learning will take place initially in class through the submission, at the end of the experience, of the worksheets and the evaluation of the correctness of the determinations and data acquired.
Students will also be required to produce a group lab report (subgroups of two students) on three chosen experiments, with the educational objectives of: 1) assessing the ability to correctly apply the scientific method, 2) verifying the ability to analyze, process, and discuss qualitative and quantitative data acquired in the laboratory within the group and/or the entire class, 3) evaluating the group's ability to structure and develop a small scientific report accurately and using appropriate scientific language, 4) the ability to deepen understanding also through bibliographic research. The work will be discussed during a brief oral interview.

written and oral

The evaluation criteria of the report will concern organization, depth of content, accuracy in presentation, processing and discussion of results, and appropriateness of scientific language.

The assessment of the group report will be based on the following grading scale, which will be translated into a grade (excellent, very good, good, fair, sufficient, nearly sufficient, insufficient).

The grade for the paper (module 2) is expressed in thirtieths and will contribute 30% to the final grade of the Ecology II course and laboratory.

Preparatory lesson in PowerPoint indicating the objectives of the experience, the assignments, and the method of organizing the content of the report.

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