27304 - Agrometeorology and Agricultural Ecology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows the main meteorological quantities and is able to carry out measurements with the most suitable tools and process the results as well as calculate water balances and the water requirements of the main crops. The student also acquires the basic knowledge of ecology to define its role in agricultural sciences and has mastered the concepts of interaction between plant organisms in agro-ecosystems to define the conditions of eco-sustainable agriculture; finally he learns the elements to elaborate his own opinion on current environmental problems of agricultural interest.

Course contents

This course introduces the principles of agrometeorology and agricultural ecology, exploring the processes that regulate the interactions between the atmosphere, soil, and crops. This quantitative approach provides the tools to interpret agricultural systems and address the challenges of environmental sustainability.

Prerequisites:

Students taking this course have basic knowledge of mathematics, physics, and natural sciences. This knowledge is acquired in high school and in the basic courses taught during the first year of studies.


Course Contents:

1 - Agrometeorology

Introduction to Agrometeorology 1 hour
Units of measurement, applications of measurement and errors in agrometeorology 1 hour
Meteorological factors of agricultural interest (temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, etc.) 2 hours
Structure and composition of the atmosphere, basic dynamics 2 hours
Solar radiation and the laws that describe it 2 hours
Energy and radiation balance applied to crops 2h
Agrometeorological Instrumentation and Measurement Methods. 2h
Agrometeorological Station and Monitoring Networks. 2h
Evaporation and Evapotranspiration. 4h
The Hydrological Cycle and Water Balance in the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere System. 2h
Climate, Climate Indices, and Major Climates in Italy. 2h
These elements allow us to understand the role of meteorological conditions in agricultural production processes.

2 - Climate Change and Agriculture

Climate Variability and Climate Change 2h
Impacts of Climate Change on Agricultural Systems. 2h
Effects of Climate on Phenology, Productivity, and Crop Distribution 2h
Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies to the New Climate, Particularly for Agricultural Production. 2h

3 - Agricultural Ecology

Review of Ecology. Fundamentals of Ecology Applied to Agricultural Sciences 1h
Ecosystem Concepts: Ecological Niche, Habitat, Range, Biotope, Biomes. 2h
Ecological significance of interactions between organisms: competition, resistance, ecosystem resilience. 2h
Determination of plant growth in crops. 2h
Biodiversity and ecosystem services in agriculture. 1h

4 - Applications to agriculture

Abiotic stresses: Frost protection; Hail. 2h
Phenology and degree days. 2h
Plant-soil-atmosphere relationships: stomata, photochemical smog. 2h
Environmental monitoring, land degradation, and strategies to prevent it. 2h
Different types of agriculture: precision, conservation, organic. 2h

Furthermore, 4 hours of field exercises and 8 hours of classroom exercises will be conducted on all the topics covered.

Readings/Bibliography

AGROMETEOROLOGIA

• Ventura F., Rossi Pisa P., 2006. Strumenti per l'agrometeorologia. Aracne Editrice, Roma.
• Agrometeorologia. Basi, applicazioni e ruolo nella gestione dell'agroecosistema. Simone Orlandini, Anna Dalla Marta, Filiberto Altobelli (Curatori) Edagricole, 2024

or, in English:

• free book "Agricultural Meteorology and Climatology"

  https://www.fupress.com/catalogo/agricultural-meteorology-and-climatology/3808

   

ECOLOGIA AGRARIA:

• Baldoni G., Ecologia ed Agricoltura, Edagricole, Bologna, 1998

o alternativamente

• Vazzana C., Ecologia Vegetale Agraria, 1998, Pàtron ed. Bologna

Teaching methods

The course consists of theoretical lectures, exercises, field trips during which agro-meteorological instruments are shown, educational excursions, seminars of experts on specific topics.

Assessment methods

Exam: written test lasting 1h without the help of notes or books.

The written test consists of 6 exercises and open questions.

Each question allows you to get a maximum score of 5 points. to obtain the sufficiency it is necessary to score 18 points, maximum score is 30 cum Laude.

Exercises are performed in classroom, as training for the written exam

Students wishing to take the exam in English must request it to the teacher at least two days before the exam.

Six total exames per year, two of which at the beginning of 2026, one in January the other in February before the beginning of the second semester.

Students with learning disabilities (LD) or temporary or permanent disabilities: please contact the relevant University office promptly (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it). They will be responsible for suggesting any accommodations to the students concerned. However, these accommodations must be submitted to the orifessor for approval 15 days in advance, who will evaluate their suitability also in relation to the educational objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

The course consists of theoretical lessons in class, exercises, educational excursions, seminars by experts on specific topics.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Ventura