The course deals with the environmental assessment and management of complex problems that have significant implications for human society and anthropogenic activities. Four main training objectives are proposed: 1) to analyze the big picture of the implications of ecological processes for humanity, having as reference the main international directives and conventions as guidelines; 2) to study a series of ecological phenomena and biogeochemical processes that are the basis of important ecosystem services, emphasizing their quantitative aspects; 3) verify the relevance of some of these processes on a local / regional scale; 4) analyze the general guidelines for the sustainable management of living natural resources.
teacher profile teaching materials
Threat diagnosis and assessment. Identification and analysis of environmental pressures; SWOT analysis; the DPSIR framework (Driving forces, Pressures, State, Impacts, and Responses); principles of the BACI (Before–After–Control–Impact) design for assessing the effects of a disturbance or intervention.
Pollution and alteration of environmental compartments. Definition and classification of pollution; origin, dispersal, characteristics, and effects of pollutants in the atmosphere, soil, and water; chronic and point-source pollution; acid deposition; noise and light pollution.
Climate and global change. Basic meteorological principles in relation to climate; the greenhouse effect, major greenhouse gases, and global warming; depletion of the ozone layer; consequences of global change for species and ecosystems; the role of terrestrial and aquatic carbon sinks.
Biogeochemical cycles and aquatic systems. The hydrological cycle, water supply, and altered water flows; metabolic processes and regulation of the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles; effects of different forms of contamination; assessment of nutrient loading and eutrophication processes; principles of wastewater treatment technologies; water abstraction systems and assessment of minimum vital and acceptable environmental flows.
Soil and habitat degradation and productive activities. Erosion, salinization, and desertification; physical alteration of terrestrial and aquatic habitats; bioturbation; impacts of livestock farming and agriculture; environmentally compatible agricultural practices; extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive aquaculture; habitat biomanipulation.
Bioindication, monitoring, and ecotoxicology. Principles of bioindication and environmental monitoring; fundamentals of toxicology and ecotoxicology; bioconcentration and biomagnification; biological early-warning systems for environmental conditions and risks to human health.
Environmental biotechnology and restoration. Principles of environmental biotechnology (grey biotechnology) for biodiversity protection and the management of environmental threats; bioremediation and environmental recovery; biological control and discussion of its potential applications.
Biological introductions and population conservation. Introductions of organisms and biological pollution; causes, effects, and socioeconomic consequences of introductions; prevention and control; the DAISIE project as a reference for the study of invasive alien species in Europe; CITES within the framework regulating international trade in threatened species; harvesting or removal of organisms, population restocking, and reintroduction; relationships between inbreeding and fitness. Reference to the so-called “Frankenstein effect” included in the original syllabus, to be clarified during validation.
Natural resources, ecosystem services, and sustainability. Historical development of the exploitation and management of living natural resources, from Gordon’s theory to international initiatives such as Horizon 2020 and the 2030 Agenda; resource uses, conflicts, and sustainability; natural capital and sustainable development; environmental information; the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and ecosystem service categories (provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting).
Urban environments, participation, and management tools. Impacts of technologically advanced societies and degradation of the biosphere; principles of urban ecology, urbanization, and environmentally sustainable cities (Green City and Smart Economy); public perceptions of environmental issues; principles of citizen science and the use of smart technologies in natural resource management; conventional and renewable energy sources; main national environmental research institutions and an introduction to funding opportunities and calls for proposals.
Programme
Disturbance ecology and ecosystem responses. Role of human activities in ecosystem alteration; disturbances, stressors, and stress; resistance, resilience, and ecological responses; categories and levels of threat; criteria for the rarity and vulnerability of species and habitats.Threat diagnosis and assessment. Identification and analysis of environmental pressures; SWOT analysis; the DPSIR framework (Driving forces, Pressures, State, Impacts, and Responses); principles of the BACI (Before–After–Control–Impact) design for assessing the effects of a disturbance or intervention.
Pollution and alteration of environmental compartments. Definition and classification of pollution; origin, dispersal, characteristics, and effects of pollutants in the atmosphere, soil, and water; chronic and point-source pollution; acid deposition; noise and light pollution.
Climate and global change. Basic meteorological principles in relation to climate; the greenhouse effect, major greenhouse gases, and global warming; depletion of the ozone layer; consequences of global change for species and ecosystems; the role of terrestrial and aquatic carbon sinks.
Biogeochemical cycles and aquatic systems. The hydrological cycle, water supply, and altered water flows; metabolic processes and regulation of the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles; effects of different forms of contamination; assessment of nutrient loading and eutrophication processes; principles of wastewater treatment technologies; water abstraction systems and assessment of minimum vital and acceptable environmental flows.
Soil and habitat degradation and productive activities. Erosion, salinization, and desertification; physical alteration of terrestrial and aquatic habitats; bioturbation; impacts of livestock farming and agriculture; environmentally compatible agricultural practices; extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive aquaculture; habitat biomanipulation.
Bioindication, monitoring, and ecotoxicology. Principles of bioindication and environmental monitoring; fundamentals of toxicology and ecotoxicology; bioconcentration and biomagnification; biological early-warning systems for environmental conditions and risks to human health.
Environmental biotechnology and restoration. Principles of environmental biotechnology (grey biotechnology) for biodiversity protection and the management of environmental threats; bioremediation and environmental recovery; biological control and discussion of its potential applications.
Biological introductions and population conservation. Introductions of organisms and biological pollution; causes, effects, and socioeconomic consequences of introductions; prevention and control; the DAISIE project as a reference for the study of invasive alien species in Europe; CITES within the framework regulating international trade in threatened species; harvesting or removal of organisms, population restocking, and reintroduction; relationships between inbreeding and fitness. Reference to the so-called “Frankenstein effect” included in the original syllabus, to be clarified during validation.
Natural resources, ecosystem services, and sustainability. Historical development of the exploitation and management of living natural resources, from Gordon’s theory to international initiatives such as Horizon 2020 and the 2030 Agenda; resource uses, conflicts, and sustainability; natural capital and sustainable development; environmental information; the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and ecosystem service categories (provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting).
Urban environments, participation, and management tools. Impacts of technologically advanced societies and degradation of the biosphere; principles of urban ecology, urbanization, and environmentally sustainable cities (Green City and Smart Economy); public perceptions of environmental issues; principles of citizen science and the use of smart technologies in natural resource management; conventional and renewable energy sources; main national environmental research institutions and an introduction to funding opportunities and calls for proposals.
Prerequisiti
The original course syllabus does not specify any mandatory prior subject knowledge. Basic knowledge of general ecology and biology, together with elementary familiarity with reading graphs and environmental data, is recommended to support participation in class exercises and discussion of applied case studies.Core Documentation
Introduzione all'ecologia Applicata, Galassi et al. Città StudiReference Bibliography
teaching material provided during the courseType of delivery of the course
forntal lessons and exercises in classroomAttendance
Attendance is strongly recommended, in line with the original syllabus. Any mandatory attendance requirements and specific provisions are governed by the current regulations of the degree programme.Type of evaluation
Final assessment consists of an oral examination covering the course content, as specified in the original syllabus. The examination assesses knowledge of ecological phenomena and environmental assessment methods, as well as the ability to link causes, effects, and possible management measures. Discussion of a straightforward applied case is also proposed, involving interpretation of a framework (e.g., DPSIR or BACI), an indicator, or basic data provided during the examination. Proposed assessment criteria: accuracy and completeness of subject knowledge; ability to apply concepts to realistic cases; sound interpretation of evidence and recognition of its limitations; independence and coherence of reasoning; clarity of presentation and appropriate use of scientific terminology. Taken as a whole, the oral examination assesses the competences specified in the learning outcomes, including application, independent judgement, and the ability to transfer knowledge to comparable contexts. The duration, grading procedure, and any further details must be confirmed by the teaching staff.