OBJECTIVES:
To know the environmental constrains of the main physiological processes, at tree and stand levels; to understand the acclimation responses to climate changes and to water scarcity; to gain familiarity with techniques and methodological approaches used in tree ecophysiology

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
knowledge and understanding
• A scientific based knowledge and understanding of the acclimation and adaptation of plant traits as response to the environmental conditions.
• An updated knowledge and understanding of the environmental drivers of carbon, water and nutrient cycles in plant and forest ecosystems.
• A basic knowledge and understanding of the process-based models as scaling tools

applying knowledge and understanding
- defining proper strategies and plans to improve the resilience of the forest ecosystems, also in a context of climate changes
- defining monitoring plans to support the management of trees and forests
- supporting screening strategies of resistant varieties and provenances of trees and shrubs, in reforestation programmes
- supporting the sustainable management of forest ecosystems, analysing the main functional processes in response to the management practices

making judgements
- analyse the results of survey and monitoring activities, providing scientific supported interpretation of the most probable cause-effects relationships
- interpret results of trials and pilot systems for the management or the re-establishments of trees and forest ecosystems/plantations

communication skills
- writes reports and prepares oral presentations on different subjects at professional and wide information levels
- explain proposed solutions to specific management questions in a multidisciplinary context
- presenting results of testing and experimental activities in scientific contexts

learning skills
- reading and understanding the international scientific literatures in the sector of forest and environmental relationships
- new methods and tools for the functional analyses of plant and forests