27304 - Agrometeorology and Agricultural Ecology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows the basics of ecology, the main agro-meteorological and plant species interactions in agro-ecosystems. He can make measurements and analysis of meteorological data, calculate water budgets and water requirements of major crops. He is able to collect, understand and communicate data and information, to make independent judgments and considerations upon the present environmental problems of agricultural interest and on sustainable agriculture.

 

Course contents

- Course Introduction

Units, applications in the field of agro-meteorological measurement problem and errors 2h

- Agrometeorology

Meteorological factors of agricultural interest (temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind etc.). 4h

Atmosphere, composition and introduction of dynamics. 2h

The solar radiation and radiation laws. 2h

Radiative energy balance and application to crops. 2h

Instrumentation and use of instruments. 2h

Agro-meteorological station and monitoring networks. 2h

Evaporation and evapotranspiration. 4h

The hydrological cycle and water balance. 2h

Climate and climate indexes, climates of Italy. 2h

Climate change, adaptation and mitigation to the new climate. 2h

- Ecology

Basics of ecology. Definitions of Ecological niche, habitat, range, biomes. 2h

Ecological interactions between organisms: competition, resistence and resilience of an ecosystem. 2h

Determination of plants growth in crops. 2h

- Applications in agriculture

Protection from frost. 2h

Hailstorm. 2h

Phenology and degree days. 2h

Plant-soil-atmosphere relations: stomata. 2h

Plant-soil-atmosphere relations: photochemical smog. 2h

Constructed wetlands. 2h

Environmental monitoring, land degradation and strategies to prevent it. 2h

Types of agriculture: precision, conservative, biological. 2h

In addition 4 hours of practices in the field and 10 h of exercises in the classroom on all topics will be made, with Dr. Vitali.

Readings/Bibliography

AGROMETEOROLOGY

• Ventura F., Rossi Pisa P., 2006. Strumenti per l'agrometeorologia. Aracne Editrice, Roma.

(http://www.aracneeditrice.it/aracneweb/index.php/catalogo-aracne.html)

• Ceccon P., Borin M.: Elementi di Agrometeorologia e Agroclimatologia, IMPRIMITUR, 1995;

o alternativamente

• Benincasa F., Maracchi G., Rossi Pisa P.: Agrometeorologia, Patron, 1993.

ECOLOGY:

• 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 the theoretical lectures, practical exercises in the field and in classroom, during which agro-meteorological instruments are shown (4h), and exercises (8h) done on agrometeo and ecology topics, which will be later found in the written test.

Assessment methods

Exam: written test lasting 1h without the aid of notes or books, followed by the POSSIBILITY to do an oral test (not mandatory).

The written test consists of 6 exercises and open questions.

Each question allows for a maximum of 5 points. A minimum score of 18 points must be obtained in the written test to be eligible to take the oral examination

Exercises are conducted in classroom exercises, as training for the written examination

The oral exam consists of the discussion of written assignment.

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

Six examinations per year total, two of them at the beginning of 2018, one in January, the other in February before the start of the spring semester

Teaching tools

Lectures and exercises in the classroom and in the field

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Ventura

See the website of Giuliano Vitali