The aim is to provide basic notions on ecology with specific reference to marine ecosystems. It provides the basic tools to evaluate the nature and the extend of anthropogenic and climate change disturbances to the environment, and to formulate specific actions aimed at the management, planning and conservation of marine resources. Basic ideas on bio-resources and bioremediation will also be provided.
teacher profile teaching materials
Insights on: Coral reefs, Mangroves, Posidonia meadows, Polar seas.
Applied marine ecology and anthropogenic impacts on marine ecosystems: plastic pollution; oil rigs; oil pollution; wind farms; coastal infrastructures (ports, bathhouses, piers, breakwaters etc.); maritime traffic; noise pollution; construction of transoceanic canals; alien species (eg Lessepsian elements, ballast water, etc.); pisciculture; overexploitation; eutrophication of waters; toxic algal blooms; biomagnification; climate changes; ocean acidification; meridionalization and tropicalization.
Conservation of marine ecosystems; bioremediation.
Kaiser et al. (2011). Marine Ecology: Processes, Systems, and Impacts. Oxford University Press.
Danovaro (2019). Biologia marina. Biodiversità e funzionamento degli ecosistemi marini, UTET Università, Bologna
Castro & Huber (2011). Biologia Marina. Mc Graw Hill Ed.
Cognetti, Sarà e Magazzù (2008). Biologia Marina. Calderini
Norse & Crowder (2005). Marine Conservation Biology. Marine Conservation Biology Institute, Island Press
Cerrano, Ponti, Silvestri (2019). Guida alla biologia marina del Mediterraneo. Kemet, Torino
Programme
Animal and Plant biodiversity in marine and coastal environments in relation to the ecological category to which they belong (Plankton, Necton, Benthos), with particular focus on the Mediterranean Sea. Insights on Porifera, Cnidarians, Molluscs, Annelids, Crustaceans and Vertebrate Chordates.Insights on: Coral reefs, Mangroves, Posidonia meadows, Polar seas.
Applied marine ecology and anthropogenic impacts on marine ecosystems: plastic pollution; oil rigs; oil pollution; wind farms; coastal infrastructures (ports, bathhouses, piers, breakwaters etc.); maritime traffic; noise pollution; construction of transoceanic canals; alien species (eg Lessepsian elements, ballast water, etc.); pisciculture; overexploitation; eutrophication of waters; toxic algal blooms; biomagnification; climate changes; ocean acidification; meridionalization and tropicalization.
Conservation of marine ecosystems; bioremediation.
Core Documentation
Any of the following are considered appropriate for the class, whichever the students find available:Kaiser et al. (2011). Marine Ecology: Processes, Systems, and Impacts. Oxford University Press.
Danovaro (2019). Biologia marina. Biodiversità e funzionamento degli ecosistemi marini, UTET Università, Bologna
Castro & Huber (2011). Biologia Marina. Mc Graw Hill Ed.
Cognetti, Sarà e Magazzù (2008). Biologia Marina. Calderini
Norse & Crowder (2005). Marine Conservation Biology. Marine Conservation Biology Institute, Island Press
Cerrano, Ponti, Silvestri (2019). Guida alla biologia marina del Mediterraneo. Kemet, Torino
Type of evaluation
During the exam, students will be required to present a short PowerPoint presentation (15 minutes) on a topic (usually a case study) that combines their engineering background with the concepts of conservation biology and ecology learned during the course. (Examples include: “The impact of natural gas extraction facilities on cetacean migrations,” “Building oyster barriers to counter coastal erosion,” and “The impact and management of biofouling.”) After the presentation, students will be asked questions related to the topic, framed within the broader themes covered in the course. The final grade will be based on the following criteria: knowledge of the topics (basic ecology) and the ability to integrate this knowledge within the context of the engineering degree program. The student’s presentation skills and use of appropriate terminology will also be assessed.