72907 - Vegetation and Landscape Ecology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course , students will have knowledge of: - the fundamentals of population ecology and plant communities (vegetation science) and the central role of these in landscape - the role of plants as ecological indicator, in a multi-scalar and multi-temporal context, - the role of natural and anthropogenic disturbances, - the problems affecting the management and conservation plant biodiversity. The student will also be able to: - use advanced techniques and methodologies for the assessment, monitoring and management of plant component in different environmental contexts; - to apply such of knowledge to environmental issues, management and conservation of the territory.

Course contents

Vegetation. Vegetation ecology: an overview. Plant communities: structure, composition, ecology; role of biotic interactions, plant dispersal and clonality. Diversity and ecosystem function. Climate and vegetation. Spatial distribution of plant communities. Stress and disturbance (human and natural). Vegetation dynamics. Plant functional types and plant traits at community level. Invasive species and plant communities. Vegetation and Habitats. Main Italian vegetation types. Vegetation formation of the Earth.

Vegetation conservation, management and restoration. Monitoring. Habitat Directive (92/43/EEC) and Natura 2000. Vegetation and global change

Landscape. Genesis, structure, dynamics. Patch-corridor-matrix model, and alternative landscape models. Diversity; heterogeneity; connectivity; fragmentation. Man and landscape. Land use and Ecosystem Services. Ecological Network.

Vegetation and landscape. Sampling design and methods; mapping; analysis.

Readings/Bibliography

Ubaldi D., 2012. Guida allo studio della flora e della vegetazione. CLUEB, Bologna.

Ferrari C., Pezzi G. 2013. L'ecologia del paesaggio. Collana "Universale Paperbacks il Mulino", Bologna.

Papers (in english) discussed during lessons and practicals

 

Further readings (available at the BiGEA library, via Irnerio 42)

van der Maarel E. (a cura di) 2005. Vegetation Ecology. Blackwell Publishing

Pignatti S. (a cura di) 1995. Ecologia vegetale. UTET

Elzinga C.L., Salzer D.W., Willoughby J.W., Gibbs J.P. 2001. Monitoring Plant and Animal Populations: A Handbook for Field Biologists. Blackwell Science

Forman R.T.T., Godron M. 1986. Landscape Ecology. Wiley

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons and practicals in lab.

Assessment methods

Oral examination.

Teaching tools

Power Point presentation. Use of statistical and GIS software open source for practicals. Scientific paper (english) discussed during lessons.

Office hours

See the website of Giovanna Pezzi