58465 - Landscape Ecology

Learning outcomes

Through principles and methods of landscape ecology, the student at the end of the course will be able to: understand the central role of the plant component in the landscape; use an ecological approach in landscape analysis within a multi-scalar and multi-temporal framework; use the landscape ecology methods for the management, conservation and monitoring of landscapes and habitats in a scenario of global changes.

Course contents

Prerequisites. Basic knowledge of cartography, coordinate reference systems, QGIS (and/or other GIS software) and the handling of georeferenced spatial data. In any case the course will provide the necessary tools to make the class skills uniform.

 

THEORETICAL CONTENTS

• Introduction. The concept of landscape: major definitions and disciplinary approaches. Landscape as an ecological system. The role of plants and vegetation in landscape ecology.
• Vegetation and landscape. Flora, vegetation, plant communities and habitats. Ecological factors affecting vegetation distribution and organization. Vegetation as a structural component of landscapes and an ecological indicator.
• Landscape Ecology. Origins, principles and objectives. The patch–corridor–matrix model. Spatial and temporal scales. Landscape: pattern and ecological processes; heterogeneity, connectivity, fragmentation.
• Vegetation and landscape dynamics. Vegetation dynamics. Land-use and land-cover changes, climate changes, biological invasions and their effects on vegetation, habitats, and landscapes. Ecological and land-use legacies.

• Ecological Interpretation of Landscapes. Ecological and vegetation-based approaches to landscape interpretation.
  Major landscape types. Vegetation, biodiversity and ecosystem services in the ecological interpretation of landscape structure, history and change.

• Landscape conservation and management. Ecological principles of landscape conservation. Conservation and management of vegetation and habitats. Ecological restoration and ecological connectivity (ecological networks and green infrastructure). The Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and the Natura 2000 Network.

 

PRACTICAL SECTION

• Landscape analysis. Data sources. Land-use/land-cover map, vegetation maps, forest maps, habitat maps. Analysis of landscape structure and dynamics. Identification of patches, corridors and matrix. Selected landscape metrics: calculation and interpretation. Multi-temporal analysis of vegetation and land use/land cover.Transition matrices. Interpretation of landscape transformations and ecological legacies. Analysis of a case study. Analysis of a landscape using GIS and thematic maps. Interpretation of results and discussion of implications for landscape conservation and management.

Readings/Bibliography

• Slides presented during the lectures. These documents will be available at the end of each topic session. A list of references is provided at the end of each lecture together with suggested supplementary study material.
• Papers (English) discussed and/or provided during lectures and practicals.
• Ferrari C., Pezzi G. 2013. L'ecologia del paesaggio. Collana "Universale Paperbacks il Mulino".
• With K.A., 2019. Essentials of Landscape Ecology. Oxford University Press (selected chapters).
• Turner M.G., Gardner R.H. 2015. Landscape ecology in theory and practice. Pattern and process. Second edition. Springer (selected chapters).
  

Integrative readings (botany)

• Mauseth J.D., 2020. Botanica. Fondamenti di biologia delle piante. IV Italian Ed. Ildenson-Gnocchi, Napoli. Chapters: 27, 28, 29.
  
• Pasqua G., Abbate G., Forni C., 2019. Botanica generale e diversità vegetale. IV Ed. Piccin, Padova. Chapters: 16, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26.

Teaching methods

Lectures, practicals, field excursion, a seminar. Case studies examined.

In particular, each lesson or group of lessons will be coupled with a laboratory activity (e.g. computer exercises, analysis of case studies) that students will carry out in groups. Results will be discussed in the classroom.

 

PLEASE NOTE:

“As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend Module 1, 2 [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas] online, while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme”

Assessment methods

Type of assessment:

Oral examination consisting of 1) a landscape analysis project presented by the student and 2) the answers to two questions about the theoretical concepts of the course. Classroom exercises will be preparatory to the project.

 

Limited, disclosed, and non-substantive use of AI is permitted for supporting the preparation of landscape analysis project presentation (e.g. to assist summarising, rephrasing, graphics, or basic interpretation). The substantial use of AI to develop or structure the presentation is not permitted.

 

Assessment evaluation:

The purpose of the project/report presentation and the answers to the two questions is to assess 1) the practical and theoretical skills acquired by the student through the course and 2) the capacity to apply the acquired knowledge to evaluate causes and effects of the landscape structure and dynamics.

 

Assessment criteria:

• An excellent evaluation will be awarded to students who demonstrate a comprehensive, coherent, and well-reasoned understanding of the topics covered, as well as the ability to articulate their ideas with clarity and precision.
• A fair evaluation will be assigned to those whose expression is generally appropriate but occasionally imprecise, and whose knowledge tends to be mechanical or based primarily on memorization.
• A sufficient mark will be given in cases of limited knowledge and inadequate linguistic expression.
• Serious deficiencies in both content knowledge and language use will result in a poor evaluation.

 

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
• Slides presented during the lectures
• Scientific papers
• Virtual learning platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it)
• Spreadsheets (e.g. Excel), word processor program (e.g. Word), slideshow presentation program (e.g. Power Point)
• Open source software GIS. GoogleEarth, WebGIS and interactive cartography.
• Acta Plantarum (www.actaplantarum.org) and Dryades (www.dryades.units.it) for plant species identification.
  

The students are required to bring their own PC for the practical activities.

Office hours

See the website of Giovanna Pezzi