93211 - INTERAZIONI PIANTE-AMBIENTE E BIOMONITORAGGIO

Academic Year 2020/2021

  • Docente: Stefania Biondi
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: BIO/01
  • Language: Italian
  • Moduli: Stefania Biondi (Modulo 1) Juri Nascimbene (Modulo 2)
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Biodiversity and Evolution (cod. 9075)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has advanced and updated knowledge on the morpho-functional mechanisms of acclimatization and adaptation of plants to environmental stressors, on the use of plant organisms as bioindicators and on the main biomonitoring techniques based on plant organisms.

Course contents

The course consists of two modules of 3 credits each. In the first module, a definition of "abiotic stress" will be given and the general concepts concerning the interactions between vascular plants and the environment will be described: perception and response to stimuli; morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular plasticity; definition of avoidance, acclimation, and adaptation to stress; model plants and research methods. Students will acquire some basic knowledge on the physiology and biochemistry of plants, in particular on the role of ROS, the antioxidant defense system, and the role of phytohormones in the responses to environmental stressors. The importance of interactions between soil microorganisms and the root system in conferring tolerance to stress in plants will also be illustrated. The specific molecular mechanisms of perception/response and the morpho-functional aspects of acclimation and adaptation to water deficit or excess, salinity, high or low temperatures, excess light, and heavy metals will then be described.

The second module will be focused on the use of organisms as bioindicators and on biomonitoring techniques. In particular, the approaches adopted to analyze and interpret the response of organisms to environmental factors for obtaining information on the state of the environment and of the natural resources will be described. Different types of bioindicators and ecological indices will be illustrated and the main biomonitoring techniques using lichens, bryophytes, or vascular plants and the related areas of application will be discussed. Practical activities will be focused on the use of lichens as bioindicators.

Readings/Bibliography

Sanità di Toppi L. – Interazioni Piante-Ambiente. 2018. Piccin editore.

Ahmad P. & Prasad M.N.V. – Environmental Adaptations and Stress Tolerance of Plants in the Era of Climate Change, 2012. Springer

During lectures, bibliographic indications of recent scientific articles related to each topic will be provided.

Teaching methods

The course is mainly based on lectures and, in part (1 credit in Module 2), on practical activities. Participation in all lectures and practical activities is strongly recommended given the close linkage between topics.

Assessment methods

There will be one exam for the two modules and in oral form. It aims to assess achievement of the learning objectives: (1) knowledge and understanding of the main mechanisms involved in the responses and acclimation/adaptation of vascular plants to environmental factors (light, temperature, salinity, etc.); 2) knowledge and understanding of the use of plant organisms as bioindicators and of the main biomonitoring techniques based on plants.

Teaching tools

Lectures with PowerPoint presentations and practical activities aimed at testing biomonitoring activities. All presentations will be made available to students through the IOL platform.

Office hours

See the website of Stefania Biondi

See the website of Juri Nascimbene

SDGs

Zero hunger Climate Action Life on land

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.