ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
APPLICAZIONI DI ECOLOGIA
| A.Y. | Credits |
|---|---|
| 2025/2026 | 6 |
| Lecturer | Office hours for students | |
|---|---|---|
| Silvia Casabianca | Wednesday 9:00 - 13:00 |
| Teaching in foreign languages |
|---|
|
Course with optional materials in a foreign language
English
This course is entirely taught in Italian. Study materials can be provided in the foreign language and the final exam can be taken in the foreign language. |
Assigned to the Degree Course
| Date | Time | Classroom / Location |
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| Date | Time | Classroom / Location |
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Learning Objectives
The course aims to provide an understanding of how ecological principles can be applied to the management of natural and anthropogenic environments. Its primary objective is to connect ecological theory with practical applications in order to identify and address real-world environmental challenges through scientific tools, and to enhance understanding of ecosystem functioning in both natural and urbanized contexts.
Program
Course Objectives and Structure
Presentation of the educational objectives and the structure of the course.
Essential concepts of general ecology to provide a framework for the topics covered.
Environmental Perception
Analysis of how environmental issues are perceived in contemporary society.
The role of ecology in raising awareness and in environmental communication.
Types of Ecosystems and Ecosystem Services
Ecological and functional characteristics of major ecosystems:
Urban and industrial systems
Agricultural systems
Forest systems
Freshwater systems
Marine systems
Analysis of the ecosystem services provided by each type.
Factors Affecting Ecosystems
Climate change
Chemical and biological contamination
Eutrophication
Overexploitation of natural resources
Other human-induced pressures:
Urbanization
Habitat fragmentation
Introduction of alien species
Ecosystem Management and Restoration
Approaches and strategies for addressing environmental issues.
Techniques and interventions for ecological recovery and restoration.
Environmental Monitoring
Principles and methods of ecological monitoring.
Use of bioindicators to assess the health status of ecosystems.
Learning Achievements (Dublin Descriptors)
D1- KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: At the end of the course, students will be required to demonstrate theoretical knowledge of: environmental issues in contemporary society; the ecological and functional characteristics of major ecosystems and the ecosystem services they provide; factors that alter ecosystems; and strategies for their restoration.
D2- APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Students will demonstrate the ability to recognize and critically reflect on the issues addressed.
D3- MAKING JUDGEMENTS: Students are expected to have acquired knowledge that enables an understanding of the fundamental applications of ecology to the management of the studied ecosystems.
D4- COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Students will be able to use adequate scientific language and terminology to transmit the acquired knowledge in a clear and understandable way.
D5- LEARNING SKILLS: Students will be able to examine and understand scientific texts, using the acquired concepts in daily professional research contexts.
Teaching Material
The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it
Supporting Activities
No supporting activities.
Teaching, Attendance, Course Books and Assessment
- Teaching
Frontal lessons.
- Innovative teaching methods
Flipped classroom, video material, classroom discussion on environmental topics.
- Course books
Galassi, Ferrari, Viaroli, 2014 - Introduzione all'ecologia applicata. Dalla teoria alla pratica della sostenibilita. CittaStudi.
Francesco Cioffi, Livio De Santoli, Angelo Lalli, Fausto Manes, Luca Persia, 2022 - Scienze della sostenibilità Energia - Risorse - Città - Acqua - Ecosistemi - Diritto. Zanichelli.
- Assessment
Oral interview on topics covered during the course to check the student's knowledge level. In particular, acquired knowledge, critical approach, use of appropriate language and scientific terminology will be assessed.
- Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)
Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.
To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.
Additional Information for Non-Attending Students
- Teaching
Reading and studying of texts in the section “Course books” and consulting the teaching material uploaded on the Moodle.
- Course books
Galassi, Ferrari, Viaroli, 2014 - Introduzione all'ecologia applicata. Dalla teoria alla pratica della sostenibilita. CittaStudi.
Francesco Cioffi, Livio De Santoli, Angelo Lalli, Fausto Manes, Luca Persia, 2022 - Scienze della sostenibilità Energia - Risorse - Città - Acqua - Ecosistemi - Diritto. Zanichelli.
- Assessment
Oral interview on topics covered during the course to check the student's knowledge level. In particular, acquired knowledge, critical approach, use of appropriate language and scientific terminology will be assessed.
- Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)
Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.
To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.
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