65939 - Plant Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, the students own the basic knowledge on the main groups of living autotrophs, as well as some elementary knowledge on Bacteria and Fungi. They are able to recognize some families of Spermatophytes of relevant interest ornamental and landscape (Pinaceae, Fagaceae, Betulaceae, Rosaceae, Fabaceae, Brassicaceae, Solanaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae, Liliaceae) and to correctly use  the scientific botanical nomenclature. They also know the main approaches to the study of plant diversity of an area, the main regulations for the protection of biodiversity and landscape, the basic principles of landscape ecology, even in applications to regional planning. With reference to the Emilia-Romagna region, the students know the distribution of the most widespread forest communities and are able to recognize the most common forest plant species, placing them in the appropriate ecological and landscape context.

Course contents

Prerequisites - To profitably follow this course, students should already own the knowledge of the course 00074 - General Botany (first semester of the first year).

Teaching units

NOTE: the module 1 is inclusive of the teaching units 1, 2, 3; the module 2 is inclusive of the teaching unit 4          

1. Introduction and rules of nomenclature (2 hours)

- Hierarchical structure of classification systems.

- The systematic categories.

- The International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants and the main nomenclature rules, including rules for the nomenclature of hybrids.

Expected knowledge and skills:

- Correct use of scientific nomenclature for wild species, cultivars and hybrids.

    

2. Biodiversity and Evolution (20 hours)

- Basic knowledge on morphology, biology and ecology of Archaea, Eubacteria, Algae, Fungi.

- Lichen symbiosis and Mycorrhizal symbiosis.

- The metagenetic cycles of the Land Plants (Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Spermatophytes), with particular reference to the evolution of the reproductive and spreading structures.

- Spore, ovule, pollen grain, flower, seed, fruit, and their evolutionary and functional significance in the cycle of the Land Plants.

- Reproductive biology of the Angiosperms.

Expected knowledge and skills:

- Basic knowledge on the main groups of photosynthetic organisms, as well as elementary knowledge on Bacteria and Fungi and their role in the ecosystems and in symbiotic relationships with the plants.

 - Basic knowledge on sexual reproduction and vegetative propagation of the Angiosperms

   

3. Biodiversity and territory (14 hours)

- The concepts of: flora, plant communities, vegetation, landscape.

- The environmental information obtained from the study of the flora (plant life-form categories and plant life-form spectra), vegetation (vegetation maps) and landscape of a territory (quantitative analysis of the landscape and the Geographic Information Systems).

- The climate and the response of the plants. Vegetation zones and vegetation belts in Europe and in Italy. Analysis of some representative Walter climogrammes.

- The Emilia-Romagna and its phytogeographical position.

- The main forest communities of the regional vegetation, following the regional vegetation belts.

- Biodiversity and ecosystem services. Reasons for the conservation of biodiversity.

- The protection of biodiversity at regional, national and European level. The Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive. SPA, SCI and the European Ecological Network Natura 2000.

Expected knowledge and skills:

 - Basic knowledge on the main approaches for the study of the plant biodiversity in a given territory.

 - Knowledge of the main regulations for the protection of biodiversity, also in view of possible applications to land planning.

    

4. Practical activities (24 hours)

- Observations on different floral types in Angiosperms.

- Detailed morphological analysis (vegetative characters, flower, fruit) of some families of Spermatophytes of considerable agronomic/forest interest: Pinaceae, Cupressaceae, Taxaceae, Fagaceae, Betulaceae, Rosaceae, Fabaceae, Brassicaceae, Solanaceae, Asteraceae, Liliaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Iridaceae, Poaceae.

- Knowledge on the main woody species of the regional flora, on their ecology and distribution in the regional territory, (see teaching unit 3).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials can be downloaded from AMS Campus, with access restricted to students regularly enrolled, through username and password.

Such material includes:

1. The ppt presentation used for the lectures.

2. The list of woody species of the regional flora to be known for passing the exam.

3. A large collection of images of the species as above.

We recommend to download and print the ppt presentations, as in point 1), before attending lectures, in order to integrate them with personal notes relating to the content of the lectures. The teaching materials should however be supported by the use of the textbooks recommended here:

- PASQUA G., ABBATE G., FORNI C., 2015 - Botanica Generale e Diversità Vegetale. III edizione, Piccin, Padova.

- GEROLA F.M., 1997 - Biologia Vegetale, volume 2, Sistematica Filogenetica. UTET, Torino. Out of commerce, but available at the Goidanich Library, School of Agriculture, Viale Fanin, Bologna

- FERRARI C., 2011 - Biodiversità - Dal genoma al paesaggio. Zanichelli, Bologna. Only the chap. 8, La diversità ambientale (The environmental diversity), pp. 116-136.

 - FERRARI C., PEZZI G., 2012 – Paesaggio: ambiente, spazio, luogo, memoria. Diabasis, Reggio Emilia. Particularly recommended to anyone interested in personal insights on the third teaching unit.

The first two textbooks are available at the Library of Vespignani Palace, Imola.

Teaching methods

The course consists of theoretical lessons (teaching units 1, 2, 3) and practical activities (teaching unit 4) closely interlinked, whose contents are both the subject of the final assessment. The practical activities will take place from the second half of the month of March.

Assessment methods

The assessment of the knowledge acquired is achieved through an oral examination, at fixed date, that are published well in advance on the professor's website, as well as on AlmaEsami web site. The final examination will verify the preparation of the student on all parts of the program. Therefore the discussion will concern two arguments regarding the units 1, 2, 3. Concerning the unit 4, the recognition of fresh and / or herbarium specimens (one family and two species) will be proposed.

The achievement of an organic vision of the issues addressed and their critical use, demonstrating ownership of matter, will be assessed with marks of excellence. Mechanical and/or mnemonic knowledge of matter, will lead to discrete assessments; minimal knowledge will lead to votes that will not exceed the sufficiency. Training gaps, inappropriate language, will lead to failed assessments.

Teaching tools

Lectures : ppt presentations, recorded lectures on DVD available at the Secretary Office of Vespignani palace in Imola.

Practical activities : living plant, herbarium material, web site of the Agricultural Garden in Bologna ( http://www.scienzeagrarie.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-strutture/lorto-agrario-filippo-re ) with the pictures collection of the cultivated species.

Office hours

See the website of Maria Speranza

See the website of Juri Nascimbene