Major goals of this course are the achievement of solid skills in the various sectors of ecology (such as ecosystem, community and population ecology); solid training in basic ecology and applied ecology address to promote the protection, conservation and enhancement of natural resources; the strengthening and application of previously acquired knowledge (such as Botany and Zoology) in an ecological context; field observation and analysis of ecological issues; the development of interest in ecological questions in relation to man and environment; to develop basic elements for the collection, organization and interpretation of ecological data, both in laboratory and in field.
teacher profile teaching materials
Ruffo, S. (a cura di). (2002). Dune e spiagge sabbiose. Ambienti fra terra e mare. Quaderni Habitat, 4. Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio. Scaricabile dal sito del Ministero.
costa A. (2021). Le spiagge, queste sconosciute. Un viaggio negli ambienti più interessanti (e minacciati) d'Italia. Aracne editrice.
Programme
Coastal ecosystems as an interface between the terrestrial and marine environment. Diversity of sandy, rocky, brakish and lagoon ecosystems. Characteristics and distribution in the different continents. Coastal phytocoenosis of the Italian and European (Mediterranean and Atlantic) coasts. Main plant groupings. Main adaptive strategies of plants. The animals of the coastal dunes and relationships with the psammoalophilous vegetation. Fauna of the humid areas behind the dunes, nesting and wintering sites for birds. Stranding and recovery of marine vertebrates. Terrestrial and marine animals of the intertidal zone. Fauna of the cliff pools. The cliffs and the nesting of birds. Coastal Habitats of the European Directive 92/43 / EEC (Habitats Directive) and EUNIS present in Italy. Sampling and data analysis techniques. The conservation of the coasts. Main disturbing factors. Threatened habitats. Threatened species and exotic species. Environmental quality and state of conservation. Bioindicators. Problems of conservation and management. Main strategies for the conservation of coastal ecosystems.Core Documentation
Acosta A. & Ercole S. 2017. Gli habitat delle coste sabbiose italiane: ecologia e problematiche di conservazione. Quaderni ISPRA (Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale 215/2015.Ruffo, S. (a cura di). (2002). Dune e spiagge sabbiose. Ambienti fra terra e mare. Quaderni Habitat, 4. Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio. Scaricabile dal sito del Ministero.
costa A. (2021). Le spiagge, queste sconosciute. Un viaggio negli ambienti più interessanti (e minacciati) d'Italia. Aracne editrice.
Type of delivery of the course
Lectures with monothematic seminars on problems of coastal ecosystems. Activities in the field.Attendance
In attendanceType of evaluation
Verification of learning takes place through an oral test and through the evaluation of the participation and involvement of students in the proposed activities. The proposed field activities can be also analyzed and discussed with the students individually.