Sciences and Teaching of Natural Systems

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.