65939 - Plant Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, the students own the basic knowledge on the main groups of living autotrophs, as well as some elementary knowledge on Bacteria and Fungi. They are able to recognize some families of Spermatophytes of relevant ornamental and landscape interest (Pinaceae, Cupressaceae, Taxaceae, Fagaceae, Betulaceae) and to correctly use the scientific botanical nomenclature. They also know the main approaches to the study of plant diversity of an area, the main regulations for the protection of biodiversity and landscape, the basic principles of landscape ecology, even in applications to regional planning. With reference to the Emilia-Romagna region, the students know the distribution of the most widespread forest communities and are able to recognize the most common forest plant species, placing them in the appropriate ecological and landscape context.

Course contents

rerequisites - To profitably follow this course, students should already own the knowledge of the course 00074 - General Botany (first semester of the first year).

 

Teaching units

NOTE: the module 1 is inclusive of the teaching units 1, 2 and practicals 4.1 and 4.2; the module 2 is inclusive of the teaching unit 3 and practicals 4.3

1. Introduction and rules of nomenclature (2 hours)

- Hierarchical structure of classification systems.

- The systematic categories.

- The International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants and the main nomenclature rules, including rules for the nomenclature of hybrids.

Expected knowledge and skills:

- Correct use of scientific nomenclature for wild species, cultivars and hybrids.

2. Biodiversity and Evolution (22 hours)

- Basic knowledge on morphology, biology and ecology of Archaea, Eubacteria, Algae, Fungi.

- Lichen symbiosis and Mycorrhizal symbiosis.

- The metagenetic cycles of the Land Plants (Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Spermatophytes), with particular reference to the evolution of the reproductive and spreading structures.

- Spore, ovule, pollen grain, flower, seed, fruit, and their evolutionary and functional significance in the cycle of the Land Plants.

- Reproductive biology of the Angiosperms.

Expected knowledge and skills:

- Basic knowledge on the main groups of photosynthetic organisms, as well as elementary knowledge on Bacteria and Fungi and their role in the ecosystems and in symbiotic relationships with the plants.

- Basic knowledge on sexual reproduction and vegetative propagation of the Angiosperms

3. Biodiversity and territory (12 hours)

- The concepts of: flora, plant communities, vegetation, landscape.

- The environmental information obtained from the study of the flora (plant life-form categories and plant life-form spectra), vegetation (vegetation maps) and landscape of a territory (quantitative analysis of the landscape and the Geographic Information Systems).

- The climate and the response of the plants. Vegetation zones and vegetation belts in Europe and in Italy. Analysis of some representative Walter climogrammes.

- The Emilia-Romagna and its phytogeographical position.

- The main forest communities of the regional vegetation, following the regional vegetation belts.

- Biodiversity and ecosystem services. Reasons for the conservation of biodiversity.

- The protection of biodiversity at regional, national and European level. The Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive. SPA, SCI and the European Ecological Network Natura 2000.

Expected knowledge and skills:

- Basic knowledge on the main approaches for the study of the plant biodiversity in a given territory.

- Knowledge of the main regulations for the protection of biodiversity, also in view of possible applications to land planning.

4. Practical activities (24 hours)

4.1 - Observations on different floral types in Angiosperms. (2 hours)

4.2- Detailed morphological analysis (vegetative characters, flower, fruit) of: Pinaceae, Cupressaceae, Taxaceae, Fagaceae, Betulaceae. (4 hours)

4.3 - Knowledge on the main woody species of the regional flora, their ecology and distribution in the regional territory. (18 hours)

Readings/Bibliography

The textbook recommended is:

- PASQUA G., ABBATE G., FORNI C., 2015 - Botanica Generale e Diversità Vegetale. III edizione, Piccin, Padova.

The textbooks is available at the Library of Vespignani Palace, Imola.

Teaching methods

The course consists of theoretical lessons (teaching units 1, 2, 3) and practical activities (teaching unit 4) closely interlinked, whose contents are both the subject of the final assessment.

Assessment methods

The assessment of the knowledge acquired is achieved through an oral examination, at fixed dates, published on AlmaEsami web site. The final examination will verify the preparation of the student on ALL PARTS of the program. Therefore the discussion will concern arguments regarding the units 1, 2, 3. Concerning the unit 4, the recognition of fresh and / or herbarium specimens will be proposed. Quality of herbarium prepared by the student, will also be assessed.

The achievement of an organic vision of the issues addressed and their critical use, demonstrating ownership of matter, will be assessed with marks of excellence. Mechanical and/or mnemonic knowledge of matter, will lead to discrete assessments; minimal knowledge will lead to votes that will not exceed the sufficiency. Training gaps, inappropriate language, will lead to failed assessments.

Attendance at lectures and practical activities is a useful guide to the student, to better understand the topics of the program and to facilitate the preparation of the exam, but it is not object of assessment.

Teaching tools

Lectures : ppt presentations prepared by the teacher.

Practical activities : living plant, herbarium material, outdoor excursions.

Iconographic materials from the Dryades project of the Trieste University (www.dryades.units.it)

Iconographic materials  from the Acta Plantarum project (www.actaplantarum.org)

Office hours

See the website of Maria Speranza

See the website of Juri Nascimbene