B4864 - PALEOECOLOGIA E CAMBIAMENTI CLIMATICI

Learning outcomes

Paleoecology studies past ecosystems and their dynamics over geological time and acts as a bridge between the biological and geological sciences. During the course, the student learns elements to conduct quantitative paleoecological analysis on marine macrobenthic dynamics and focus on the climatic cyclicity of the Quaternary. In detail, the Quaternary macrobenthic associations provide quantifiable environmental signals (due to the high taxonomic equivalence with the modern faunas) that improve the sequence-stratigraphic interpretation of sedimentary successions. Paleobiological dynamics in the sedimentary record also allow the reconstruction of ecosystems and their variability before the advent of modern societies (= high anthropic impact). Therefore, the Quaternary fossil record will enable us to reconstruct "baselines" (reference systems) for current ecosystems to assess the degree of alteration and consider future global warming scenarios. At the end of the course, the student has knowledge of the main sampling and analysis techniques of benthic macroinvertebrates and some of the main taxa of Mediterranean mollusks useful to outline paleoenvironments directly in the field. In addition, the student will become familiar with the main data processing techniques used in the Conservation Paleobiology to reconstruct "baselines" of marine ecosystems and then evaluate the anthropic impact on current marine and coastal ecosystems.

Course contents

Introduction to the study of the marine fossil record (macrobenthos).
Basic concepts of stratigraphy applied to the study of siliciclastic successions, both outcropping and from cores; sampling methods, processing, and counting of macrobenthic fossils.
Stratigraphic resolution and paleontological resolution of the sedimentary record. Main stratigraphic and sequence surfaces and their paleobiological implications for the distribution and preservation of fossil remains.
The potential of paleoecological analyses in the stratigraphic interpretation of sedimentary successions.
Environmental gradients and the distribution of marine macrobenthos. Analytical techniques for identifying such gradients in the fossil record.
Climatic changes and dynamics in the marine fossil record of the Pliocene and Quaternary.
Conservation Paleobiology as a tool for assessing the impacts of climate change on ecosystems.
The recent fossil record as a reference to evaluate ecological changes in present-day ecosystems (baselines and shifting baselines).
Live-Dead analyses to reconstruct ecological changes and human impacts on modern ecosystems.
Field and laboratory exercises for learning basic techniques and principles to carry out paleoenvironmental analyses directly in outcrops.

Readings/Bibliography

Book chapters and scientific articles listed in the provisional course syllabus (available on Virtuale).

Teaching methods

Classes will be held primarily in the classroom. A one-day field trip is planned for late May or early June. All details will be communicated during the course.

Assessment methods

Oral. 

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible ( https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Projector, PowerPoint presentations, videos, fossil collections

Office hours

See the website of Daniele Scarponi