- Docente: Marco Bittelli
- Credits: 6
- SSD: AGR/02
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Land and Agro-Forestry Technologies (cod. 5831)
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from Sep 16, 2024 to Dec 04, 2024
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student knows the basics of ecology, the main meteorological quantities and the interactions between plant organisms in agro-ecosystems. It is able to carry out measurements and processing of meteorological and climatic data, calculate water balances and the water requirements of the main crops. It is able to collect, interpret and communicate data and information to formulate autonomous judgments and reflections on current environmental issues of agricultural interest and on eco-sustainable agriculture.
Course contents
Introduction
1. Solar radiation (electromagnetic spectrum, black body, emissivity, albedo). Radiative fluxes (solar angles, declination, solar tracks, direct and diffuse radiation, irradiance, emissivity, absortivity). Measurement of solar radiation (radiometers, pyranometers).
2. Temperature, temperature measurement, temperature and heat fluxes in the soil.
3. Water vapor and other gases. Concepts of saturated and unsaturated vapor pressure, dew point.
4. Wind. Atmospheric boundary layer, turbulence, vortices, vectors.
5. Water and living organisms. Concepts of potential and water content in soil and plants
6. Transport of mass and energy in biophysical systems. Conductances.
7. Movement of water in soils.
8. Plants and plant communities.
Readings/Bibliography
Soil Physics with Python (Bittelli, Campbell and Tomei). Oxford University Press (ISBN: 9780198854791)
An Introduction to Environmental Biophsyics (Campbell and Norman). Springer (ISBN: 0387949372)
Class notes and computer codes
Teaching methods
Lessons in class, computer exercises, lab and field training.
Assessment methods
Written exam. The exam will be divided into two partials. The first will be held in the middle of the semester (early November) and the final at the end of the semester (around mid-December). Each of the two partial exams consists of 5 questions, each of which is worth 6 points. There are 3 qualitative-descriptive questions and 2 exercises. Students who cannot take it will have subsequent appeals with a single exam.
Teaching tools
Algoritmi e modelli
Links to further information
Office hours
See the website of Marco Bittelli