88386 - Global Change of Human-Modified Ecosystems

Learning outcomes

Students will learn the conceptual framework to understand the ecological interactions between natural and social systems in globally changing urban landscapes (terrestrial and marine), how natural systems are expected to evolve under a growing human selective pressure, and will gain analytical basic 'urban-ecology tools' to be applied in e.g. urban monitoring, planning and restoration.

Course contents

Introduction – Principles of urban ecology and the concept of “novel” urban ecosystems.

Unique ecological conditions of urban ecosystems – Land use cover; urban climate and heat island effect; changes in the physical environment (soil properties, hydrological processes and water characteristics); impacts of pollution, noise, artificial light and electromagnetic fields.

Patterns of urban biodiversity and controlling factors – Impacts of urbanisation on biodiversity and changes in biodiversity along urban-rural gradients; losers and winners in urban habitats, biotic homogenisation and susceptibility of urban ecosystems to species invasions; habitat loss and fragmentation in urban land/sea-scapes, altered connectivity and dispersal barriers.

Acclimation mechanisms in urban landscapes – Molecular basis of environmentally-induced phenotypic variation in urban contexts; effects of urbanization on gene-expression and epi-genetic patterns of different species and populations; Major metabolic pathways involved in the acclimation to urban conditions.

Patterns of genetic diversity and adaptation in urban landscapes – Effects of urbanization on genetic diversity, gene flow, isolation and genetic structure of populations; genetic adaptation of populations in urban conditions; examples of rapid species’ evolution in urban contexts.

Acclimation and adaptation mechanisms in urban seascapes – Effects of urbanization on patterns of genetic diversity, gene flow and genetic structure in coastal marine ecosystems; examples of coastal marine species acclimation and adaptation to urban-related challenges.

Ecosystem functions and services in urban landscapes – Urban ecosystem services; ecosystem management options to enhance resilience of society and the environment to future climate conditions.

Principles of sustainable urban development – Urban sustainability and governance-related challenges in urban environments; Nature-based solutions and strategies for biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration; bioengineering, multifunctional blue/green infrastructures, bioinspired solutions for climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction and coastal protection.

Readings/Bibliography

Elmqvist et al (Editors) 2013 - Urbanization, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and Opportunities. Springer (open access)

Niemela, J., Breuste, J. H., Guntenspergen, G., McIntyre, N. E., Elmqvist, T., & James, P. (2011). Urban Ecology: Patterns, Processes, and Applications.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons

Discussion groups of hot topic papers

Assessment methods

The evaluation of the course takes into account the level of knowledge and the skills acquired by the student in relation to the course contents.

The learning assessment takes place through an oral exam, which ascertains the acquisition of the knowledge and the expected skills. The final evaluation is expressed in 30ies.

Teaching tools

Teaching materials: teaching material presented in class will be made available to the student in electronic format via internet, at this address: https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Papers to touch specific hot topics and for discussion groups will also be provided during the course.

Office hours

See the website of Miriam Ruocco