CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF VEGETATION AND LANDSCAPE

Course objectives

Expected learning outcomes The course aims at obtaining knowledge on: plant communities structure, composition, functions and dynamics at different spatial scales; methods for the analysis of vegetation; relationships between plants and the environment; vegetation dynamics; conservation issues. The course will inform on how to apply the mentioned knowledge to land planning and to the specific projects aimed at sustainable management, biodiversity conservation, landscape enhancement and land protection. The course will allow students to critically analyse reports and plans relative to natural and semi-natural ecosystems in a multifunctionality perspective with special reference to sustainable management of natural resources. The course will prepare students to communicate and collaborate with a wide range of practitioners and stakeholders also thanks to the focus on specific terms and concepts as well as on updated data on vegetation and landscape. Finally, the students will be guided towards approaches and data sources relative to natural and semi-natural ecosystems that will contribute to their degree of independence in their study and career path. Dublin Descriptors 1. Knowledge and understanding of plant communities structure, composition, functions and dynamics at different spatial scales, from local to global; methods for the analysis of vegetation; relationships between plants and the environment; plant species distribution models; vegetation dynamics; vegetation science and land management; main vegetation types of Italy. 2. Applying knowledge and understanding to land planning and to specific projects aimed at sustainability, biodiversity conservation, landscape enhancement and land protection. 3. Making judgements on reporting and planning documents relative to natural and semi-natural habitats by taking into account multifunctionality and a sustainable management of natural resources. 4. Communication skills with a wide range of practitioners and stakeholders after learning the specific language and d updated data relevant within the sector. 5. Lifelong learning skills: students will be guided towards an approach and specific data sources relative to natural and semi-natural ecosystems that will allow them to be autonomous in their learning and working path.

Channel 1
CARLO RICOTTA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
Course: Conservation and management of vegetation and landscape Teachers: Carlo Ricotta Department: Environmental Biology (Building: Istituto di Botanica) Floor: I Room: 115 Phone: 0649912504 e-mail: carlo.ricotta@uniroma1.it Requirements (Basic /Specialistic Knowledges): Basic knowledge of natural sciences Credits (CFU): 9 Expected learning outcomes Critical analysis of the relationships between vegetation and landscape distribution and the underlying abiotic drivers, including the human factor. Syllabus Definition of landscape. Evolution of the concept of landscape. Landscape ecology: objectives and principles. Landscape analysis: fragmentation, connectivity, land cover change. Ecological networks: definition and components. Species-based and land-based ecological network. Land cover and ecosystem mapping: principles, methods and classification schemes. Dublin Descriptors 1. Knowledge and understanding of vegetation cartography, landscape classification, landscape analysis and landscape evolution in space and time, and of the relationships between landscape structure and its abiotic drivers. 2. Applying knowledge and understanding to landscape planning and environmental management. 3. During the course, the students will develop the necessary critical skills for a correct and sustainable landscape management. 4. During the course, the students will develop the necessary communication skills to interact with a wide range of practitioners and stakeholders. 5. Lifelong learning skills: the skills acquired will enable the student to continue a lifelong training and professional path.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of natural sciences
Books
Bailey R.G. 1996. Ecosystem geography. Springer. Dramstad W.E., Olson J.D., Forman, R.T.T. 1996. Landscape Ecology Principles in Landscape Architecture and Land-Use Planning, Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Pedrotti F. 2004. Cartografia Geobotanica. Pitagora Editrice, Bologna. Pignatti S. 1995. Ecologia vegetale. UTET. Turner M.G. 2000. Ecologia del Paesaggio, Vivere in un mosaico. In: Dodson S.I., Allen T., Carpenter S.R., Ives A.R., Jeanne R.L., Kitchell J.F., Langston N.E., Turner M.G. Ecologia, Zanichelli, Cap. 3, pag. 77-96. Turner M.G., Gardner R.H., O’Neill R.O. 2001. Landscape ecology in theory and practice. Springer-Verlag. Additional scientific papers distributed during the course.
Teaching mode
Where possible, the course will take place in a traditional way
Frequency
The course has no attendance restrictions
Exam mode
The final evaluation will be based on an oral exam.
Bibliography
Bailey R.G. 1996. Ecosystem geography. Springer. Dramstad W.E., Olson J.D., Forman, R.T.T. 1996. Landscape Ecology Principles in Landscape Architecture and Land-Use Planning, Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Pedrotti F. 2004. Cartografia Geobotanica. Pitagora Editrice, Bologna. Pignatti S. 1995. Ecologia vegetale. UTET. Turner M.G. 2000. Ecologia del Paesaggio, Vivere in un mosaico. In: Dodson S.I., Allen T., Carpenter S.R., Ives A.R., Jeanne R.L., Kitchell J.F., Langston N.E., Turner M.G. Ecologia, Zanichelli, Cap. 3, pag. 77-96. Turner M.G., Gardner R.H., O’Neill R.O. 2001. Landscape ecology in theory and practice. Springer-Verlag.
Lesson mode
Where possible, the course will take place in a traditional way
MICHELE DE SANCTIS Lecturers' profile
  • Lesson code1047805
  • Academic year2024/2025
  • CourseNatural Sciences
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year1st year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDBIO/03
  • CFU12
  • Subject areaDiscipline ecologiche