B029626 - ECOLOGY OF ANTHROPIZED ECOSYSTEMS

Italian

The course will address the main ecological features of anthropized ecosystems, identifying their main critical issues. In particular, emphasis will be given to ecological dynamics in urban areas and agroecosystems, examining the factors that shape biodiversity patterns in these systems. The course will also present the strategies for the mitigation of human impact, and the primary methods for the analysis of ecological dynamics at the landscape level.

-Lecture notes and papers provided by the teacher.
-Caporali F., Campiglia E., Mancinelli R., 2010. Agroecologia: Teoria e pratica degli agroecosistemi. De Agostini Scuola.
- Urban Ecology: Patterns, Processes, and Applications. 2011. Niemelä J. et al. Oxford University Press

Acquired knowledge
Knowledge of the main concepts in urban and agroecosystem ecology, and their management methods
Competence acquired
Ability to analyze the ecological dynamics in highly impacted ecosystems. Ability to plan management plan to protect and restore biodiversity in urban environments and agroecosystems.
Skills acquired at the end of the course
To critically elaborate the available information on the ecological dynamics occurring in anthropized ecosystems; to interpret the effect of mitigation measures.

none

Class lectures, practical field experience, literature reading and class discussion.

The final examination is intended to ensure the acquisition of learning outcomes by an oral exam. The exam consists in questions on parts of the programme carried out in class, in particular the description and interpretation of real data using graphical representations of the results. The final exam will be preceded by half-course presentation on a selected topic.

Basics of conservation and landscape ecology.
Anthropized environments as socio-ecological systems.

Ecology of urban environments
Global trends in urbanization. Introduction to the urban ecosystem: physical features, climate, soil, hydrology.
Patterns of Urban Biodiversity. Composition and Diversity of Urban communities. Analysis of factors affecting urban biodiversity and main impact factors. Cities as centers of introduction of alien species. Connectivity analysis of urban-natural systems.


Agroecosystems
Introduction to agroecology. Processes affecting agroecosystem diversity. Main impact factors. Ecological effects of agrochemicals and their regulation. Impact of different agricultural practices on biodiversity (conventional vs organic).
Methods: methods for the quantitative analysis of ecological communities, methods for connectivity analysis.