| ECOLOGIA
(objectives)
The course aims to provide solid basic knowledge on the structure and functioning of environmental systems, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms that determine both the distribution and abundance of organisms as well as their relations with the environment. The course aims to enhance the hierarchical and interdisciplinary nature of ecology with the aim of encouraging students to deal with complex and multi-scalar disciplines and problems. This objective is reflected in the organization of the program that runs through the hierarchical ladder of ecological organization, from the mechanisms underlying biodiversity (evolutionary ecology), passing through the relationships between organisms and species (population ecology) up to the structure and functioning of communities (community ecology). The course will provide the basis for further specialized studies in ecosystem and applied ecology, biodiversity conservation and sustainable environmental management.
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Code
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17517 |
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Language
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ITA |
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Type of certificate
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Profit certificate
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Credits
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9
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Scientific Disciplinary Sector Code
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BIO/07
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Contact Hours
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48
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Laboratory Hours
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24
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Type of Activity
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Core compulsory activities
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Teacher
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NASCETTI Giuseppe
(syllabus)
The historical development of ecology; Ecology and its domain; Current state of ecological research in Italy. Ecology of organisms-physical environment relationships: conditions; spatial and temporal variations; adaptations in response to changes in environmental conditions; limiting factors; tolerance range; environmental optimum; biological rhythms - factors and climatic elements; classification of climates; bands and phytogeographic zones; outline of paleoclimatology; the soil (solid, fluid and gaseous phase); hints of pedogenesis; soil classifications; humus; biological activity of the soil. Evolutionary ecology: genetic analysis of populations; Hardy-Weinberg's law; genetic variability; evolutionary forces (mutation, selection, gene flow, genetic drift); inbreeding; Wahlund effect; balanced polymorphism - linkage disequilibrium; super-geniuses; genetic divergence; species concept; reproductive isolation mechanisms; speciation mechanisms; hybrid areas and reinforcement; twin species; biodiversity at the genetic level. Field exercises.
(reference books)
L. Bullini, S. Pignatti, A Virzo De Santo, "Ecologia Generale". UTET E.
Odum, "Basi di Ecologia", Piccin Editore. E.
Odum, G.W. Barret "Fundamentals of Ecology", Brooks/Cole Pub Co.
C.J. Krebs "Ecology", Neebo Ed.
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Dates of beginning and end of teaching activities
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From 04/03/2019 to 14/06/2019 |
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Delivery mode
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Traditional
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Attendance
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not mandatory
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Evaluation methods
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Oral exam
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Teacher
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CANESTRELLI Daniele
(syllabus)
General Ecology - The historical development of ecology; Ecology and its domain; Current state of ecological research in Italy. Ecology of the interactions between organisms and the physical environment: Conditions; Spatial and temporal variations; Adaptations in response to variations in environmental conditions; Limiting factors; Tolerance ranges; Environmental optima; Biological rhythms - climatic factors; Classification of climates; Phytogeographic zonation; Hints of paleoclimatology; Soil (solid, fluid and gaseous phase); Elements of paedogenesis; Soil classification; humus; Biological soil activity.
Evolutionary Ecology - Genetic analysis of populations; Hardy-Weinberg's law; Genetic variability; Evolutionary forces (mutation, selection, gene flow, genetic drift); inbreeding; Wahlund effect; Balanced polymorphisms; Linkage disequilibrium; supergenes; Genetic divergence; Species concept; Reproductive isolation mechanisms; Speciation mechanisms; Hybrid zones and reinforcement; Sibling species; Biodiversity at the genetic level.
Population ecology - Demography and dynamics: population structure and growth; Demographic parameters; Demographic tables; Intrinsic growth rate - numerical regulation of populations; Density dependent and independent factors; Exponential growth; environmental carrying capacity - logistic growth curve. Interspecific interactions: symbiosis; commensalism; inquilinism; antibiosis; parasitism; adaptations to parasitic life; coevolution; predation - adaptations to predation; cryptism; mimicry; intraspecific competition; interspecific competition; ecological niche; Principle of competitive exclusion; character displacement; r and K selection.
(reference books)
L. Bullini, S. Pignatti, A Virzo De Santo, "Ecologia Generale". UTET
E. Odum, "Basi di Ecologia", Piccin Editore.
M. L. Cain, W. D. Bowman, S. D. Hacker, “Ecologia”. Piccin Editore.
Krebs "Ecology", Neebo Ed.
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Dates of beginning and end of teaching activities
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From 04/03/2019 to 14/06/2019 |
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Delivery mode
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Traditional
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Attendance
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not mandatory
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Evaluation methods
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Oral exam
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