Ecobiology

General objectives The main objective is to prepare students for an in-depth knowledge of the structure and functioning of biological communities and ecosystems with particular regard to trophic networks and energy flows. The student through lectures, seminars and practical examples will understand and compare the deviations from equilibrium due to ecosystem successional development and anthropogenic disturbance. In the first part of the course (6 CFU) the student will be guided in the analysis of the experiments that have built the foundations of modern ecology and in the study of the logical components of the experimental design. The second part of the course (3cfu) will be dedicated to the application of ecological theories useful for the solution of practical problems highlighted in the context of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Real case studies will be discussed in the classroom to encourage the development of specific teaching skills. Specific objectives Knowledge and understanding The student will know and understand the structure and functioning of food webs and how to estimate energy flows between biological and physical compartments in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. She/He will understand the role of species and ecological niche in energy flows and ecological successions and their spatio-temporal variations. She/He will understand the effects of human activities and will know the methods of measuring the damage for the identification of optimal solutions. Understanding the interdependence between environmental phenomena will be strongly stimulated also through the analysis of specific cases and their discussion in the classroom. The student will acquire advanced scientific preparation at the ecological / environmental and evolutionistic / functional level. Applying knowledge and understanding At the end of the course the student will master the theories of ecology and the experiments that led to their formulation and will define the best experimental design useful to test the working hypothesis. She/He will be able to apply the specific terminology and use the bibliographic resources, including those available on the Web, to address and interpret problems related to the course-specific topics. The student will be able to interpret the modifications of ecosystems and compare the main applications of ecological theories useful for solving practical environmental problems. Making judgements The student will be able to read critically and discuss, in the light of her/his own knowledge, the literature data to address problems related to the course-specific issues. This objective will be achieved through a strong interactivity between teacher and student, and between students, on the topics covered. Communication skills The student will be encouraged to interact with the teacher and communicate what has been learned through discussion of specific topics, taken from lectures and scientific literature, in the classroom. Her/His communication skills will be evaluated in the oral exam, during which the knowledge will have to be demonstrated in a direct and clear way. Learning skills The in-depth knowledge of ecology and the experiments that led to the historical development of the discipline, as well as the main approaches to the solution of practical environmental problems, together with the ability to integrate this knowledge with those of other biological disciplines, physics and mathematical modeling, will allow the student to continue her/his studies autonomously and flexibly. At the end of the course the student will acquire the ability to identify problematic and innovative aspects in ecobiological themes and to use cognitive tools for the continuous updating of knowledge. She/He will be able to consult specialist databases and to set up the experiments in an independent and critical way, in nature or in the laboratory, with innovative techniques and approaches (e.g. isotopic studies, etc.). These skills will be acquired through lectures and during discussions on teaching issues during which the student's autonomy in the organization of their own learning will be encouraged.