120870 - FISHERIES ECOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL ACQUACULTURE
UMBERTO SCACCODOMITILLA PULCINI
Primo Semestre
10
BIO/07
Obiettivi formativi
Educational objectives
The main purpose of the course is to acquire knowledge and tools for sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources. In particular, the course will help to understand the rationale behind marine productions and the quantification of trophic relationships; to acquire a general knowledge of the Mediterranean necton, with nods to the bio-ecology of the main target species of fisheries; to learn the main biostatistical models, of equilibrium, growth, age, etc., up to the assessment of the demographic status of wild populations and the exploitation rate of fishery resources, with practical exercises in the laboratory; and to reconstruct the quantitative and structural dynamics of a fished population. In addition, students will acquire a general knowledge of the main fishing gears, with hints on their operation and technical characteristics with practical exercises on board, and on problems and solutions for modern fisheries, such as By-catch, protected species, mitigation systems, and The European Fisheries Legislation.
Knowledge and understanding - By the end of the course, the student will have acquired the fundamental knowledge bases of fisheries ecology, such as trophic relationships among different levels of complexity of marine organisms, the peculiar adaptations of various fish species of commercial interest, population dynamics of growth and mortality, the concept of resilience and sustainable fishing, the operation of fishing gears, and the problems inherent in modern fisheries. This knowledge will be obtained through participation in lectures and exercises.
Applying Knowledge and understanding - The student will be able to apply the knowledge gained to the understanding of fisheries issues, increasing his or her ability to illustrate and argue issues related to commercial fishing. In addition, the student who successfully completes this course will be able to apply the basic concepts of sustainable management of fishery resources.
Making judgements -The student upon completion of this course will be able to make use of the information available in the scientific literature to formulate interpretative hypotheses of experimental and commercial data. Achievement of this objective will be aided by laboratory and field exercises in which students will be guided to describe and compare different experimental realities through the processing and analysis of data they have collected.
Communication skills - During the course the student will be stimulated to discussion and comparison of opinions in order to develop his or her communication skills. At the end of the course he/she should possess the ability to convey the knowledge acquired in a clear and comprehensible manner.
Learning skills - Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to formulate well-founded, evidence-based scientific questions as well as develop experimental pathways by integrating his or her knowledge with that available in the available scientific literature.
EXPERIMENTAL AQUACULTURE-Module II
This course provides students with essential knowledge of the aquaculture sector, focusing on methodologies, farming techniques, and species of global significance. It emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical application, aiming to develop a comprehensive skill set in aquaculture.
Knowledge and understanding -Students will acquire a thorough understanding of aquaculture, including key theories, principles, and methodologies. They will demonstrate: an in-depth knowledge of the current state and trends in the aquaculture industry; the ability to explain and critically analyze the fundamental concepts of fish farming; a strong understanding of how aquaculture concepts and principles are applied in real-world contexts.
Applying knowledge and understanding - Students will be able to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios by: designing, executing, and evaluating projects and experiments related to aquaculture; demonstrating competence in applying methodologies and farming techniques to species of significant interest in the sector; integrating theoretical principles with hands-on techniques, showcasing their ability to combine theory and practice effectively.
Making judgements -Students will develop autonomy in judgment by: critically analysing scientific literature and assessing the credibility and relevance of various information sources; formulating well-reasoned conclusions based on evidence and justifying their choices with appropriate arguments and data; demonstrating independent critical thinking skills when evaluating scientific articles and industry reports.
Communication skills - By the end of the course, students will enhance their ability to: effectively communicate complex ideas and research findings both orally and in writing; present scientific articles and research findings clearly and persuasively, using appropriate academic and technical language; adapt their communication style to suit different audiences, ranging from academic peers to non-expert stakeholders.
Learning skills -Students will develop strong learning capabilities by: acquiring familiarity with technical terms and reasoning skills in the aquaculture field; Identifying their own learning needs and setting professional development goals; engaging in independent study and reflection, and actively seeking out new learning opportunities for continuous improvement.
OPZIONALI TRA CUI SCEGLIERE N.2 ESAMI CHE DIVENTANO OBBLIGATORI
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MARINE MONITORING
VIVIANA PIERMATTEI
Primo Semestre
6
BIO/07
Obiettivi formativi
Educational objectives
The aim of the course is to acquire theoretical-practical cognitive tools for the study and monitoring of marine ecosystems; the acquisition of knowledge and skills, including practical ones, in the context of the study of the marine ecosystem. The course will allow students to learn about the main sampling and monitoring techniques of Mediterranean coastal marine environments, community legislation and institutional monitoring. It will also allow them to carry out simple sampling in practice, subsequently verifying in the laboratory the validity of the techniques carried out in the field.
The aim of the course is to build an educational path that, through lectures and practical exercises, allows the student to know the main methods of study and analysis of marine habitats and the main benthic biocoenoses of the Mediterranean.
Knowledge and understanding - Develop knowledge and understanding skills relating to the components of marine ecosystems and the legislation that regulates their monitoring;
Applying knowledge and understanding - Developing an experimental approach to the study of marine ecosystems and the study of their possible alterations;
Making judgments - To be able to evaluate and face with adequate skills, competences and critical sense the study of the different issues concerning the marine, oceanic and coastal environment presented during the course;
Communication skills - Being able to discuss the main issues addressed during the course with a correct scientific language;
Learning skills - To be able to apply the knowledge acquired, during lectures and exercises, to cases that require the integration of the topics covered during the course.
Educational objectives
The course aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of marine parasitology, including the biology, systematics, and ecological roles of marine parasites. Students will acquire practical skills in parasite identification and analysis, alongside the use of modern scientific methodologies. The course also encourages critical thinking and the ability to apply learned knowledge across different ecological research contexts.
Knowledge and skills of understanding - Results concerning the expected acquired knowledge will mainly concern: biological aspects of marine parasites (systematics, life cycles, adaptive evolutionary aspects of the endo-ectoparasites, reproductive strategies, host-manipulation); methodological approaches in the study of marine parasites (collection and storing of parasites, integrative taxonomy, molecular systematics, phylogeny, genomics and transcriptomics, statistical analysis of epidemiological data); biodiversity (knowledge and recognition of the major systematic groups of parasites of marine organism, with particular concerns of the Mediterranean Sea). The acquired knowledge of the students will be assessed by written and/or oral and/or practical tests.
Applying knowledge and understanding - The aspects concerning the application of the knowledge that will be acquired include the ability to: i) analyse and identify the parasitic fauna of marine organisms; ii) orient the parasitological study in different contexts; iii) critically interpret the scientific contributions/publications in various fields of marine parasitology.
Making judgments - The development of critical thinking skills is a core objective of the course. Students will learn to: i) evaluate the reliability and validity of scientific data and methodologies in marine parasitology; ii) assess the ecological and environmental impacts of parasitic interactions within marine ecosystems; iii) integrate interdisciplinary perspectives, considering both biological and ecological dimensions in their analyses. Through case studies, research projects, and critical reviews of current literature, students will practice forming evidence-based conclusions and making informed judgments about complex parasitological issues.
Communication skills - The exercise of critical analysis and the knowledge acquired on fundamental concepts and methodologies in parasitology will allow the ability to formulate autonomous personal evaluations. Students will develop the capability to independently critique and question established theories and practices in marine parasitology, fostering a mindset of continuous inquiry and improvement.
Learning skills - The knowledge acquired and the use of bibliographic sources can allow the application of learning methods to contexts other than those specifically dealt with in the course. Students will be equipped with the skills to continuously update their knowledge and adapt to new scientific advancements in the field of marine parasitology and related disciplines.
Parasitism in comparison with other ecological interactions. Definition of parasitism, hyperparasitism and polyparasitism. Definition of parasite. Types of parasites and hosts, modes of transmission, general life cycles, the concept of zoonosis. Origin of parasitism and adaptive strategies: morphological, physiological, invasion and evasion strategies of the host's immune system, strategies for manipulating the host's phenotype. Systematics of the main groups of parasites: Protozoa, Myxozoa, Digenea, Monogenea, Cestoda, Nematoda, Acanthocephala, Hirudinea, Crustacea. Marine parasites as ecological indicators. Dissection and sampling of marine parasites. Molecular Biology Approaches in Marine Parasitology. Molecular systematics and phylogeny of marine parasites. Co-evolutionary aspects of parasite-host. Monothematic seminars. Practise.
Modalità Esame
The oral exam will be carried out according to the "Regolamento didattico di Ateneo". The oral exam is aimed to ascertain the candidate's preparation on the topics of marine parasitology covered during the lessons.
Testi adottati
Marine Parasitology - Klaus Rohde
Parasites of Marine Fish and Cephalopods - Sven Klimpel, Thomas Kuhn, Julian Muster et al.
Evolutionary Parasitology - Paul Schmid-Hempel
Modalità di svolgimento
The course is organized into lectures and practical exercises.
Modalità di frequenza
Optional but strongly recommended attendance.
Bibliografia
Euzet and Combes, 1998. The selection of habitats among the monogenea.
Palm et al., 2011. Fish Parasites as Biological Indicators in a Changing World: Can We Monitor Environmental Impact and Climate Change?
Kumar et al., 2013. Immune evasion mechanism of parasites in fish.
Sanchez et al., 2016. When Parasites Are Good for Health: Cestode Parasitism Increases Resistance to Arsenic in Brine Shrimps.
Sures et al., 2017. Parasites as drivers of key processes in aquatic ecosystems: Facts and future directions.
120885 - MARINE BIOLOGY
PAOLO MOMIGLIANO
Primo Semestre
6
BIO/05
Obiettivi formativi
Educational objectives
The loss of marine biodiversity represents one of the most significant environmental challenges of the 21st century. Marine ecosystems, which harbour a remarkable variety of species and provide essential ecosystem services, are undergoing rapid decline due to a range of anthropogenic pressures. These include overfishing, pollution, coastal habitat destruction, increase of alien species and climate change, which leads to ocean acidification and warming. The degradation of biodiversity not only threatens species' survival but also compromises the capacity of marine ecosystems to support crucial economic activities such as fishing, tourism, and the extraction of raw materials. In response to these challenges, the European Union has developed the "Blue Growth" strategy, which aims to promote sustainable economic growth in the marine and maritime sectors. This strategy acknowledges the critical importance of protecting and restoring marine biodiversity as a key pillar for long-term economic development. Through the analysis of ecosystem services and an integrated approach to managing marine resources, "Blue Growth" seeks to balance the need for economic development with the conservation of the marine environment. One of the central objectives of "Blue Growth" is the monitoring of marine ecosystems using advanced tools such as in situ observations, predictive models, and remote sensing data. This multidisciplinary approach allows for the assessment of ecosystem health and the identification of areas where human pressures most severely threaten biodiversity. Monitoring is essential to ensure that maritime economic activities are conducted sustainably, respecting the capacity of marine ecosystems to recover.
The integration of oceanographic, biological, and geological knowledge is crucial for understanding the dynamics of marine ecosystems and developing effective protection and management policies. In this context, the Marine Biology course equips students with the necessary skills to address these complex issues, preparing them to actively contribute to the conservation of marine biodiversity within the framework of European and global policies.
Knowledge and understanding - Gain a comprehensive understanding of marine ecosystems, from pelagic zones to coastal regions, essential for evaluating potential anthropogenic disturbances and ecosystem alterations at various spatial and temporal scales. Develop the ability to independently study and analyse marine environmental issues, enabling students to engage in public and private sector activities, including policy-making and environmental management.
Applying Knowledge and understanding - Adopt an experimental approach to the study of marine ecosystems using key sampling techniques and biodiversity assessment. These will be explored both in theory during lectures and practically in field exercises.
Making judgements -Cultivate critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate and address marine, oceanic, and coastal environmental challenges presented throughout the course. Students will develop competence in assessing these issues with the necessary expertise and insight.
Communication skills - Gain proficiency in communicating scientific concepts and findings related to marine biology, employing accurate scientific language and terminology when discussing the key topics covered in the course.
Learning skills - Develop the capacity to apply the knowledge gained during lectures and practical exercises to real-world cases, integrating various topics learned throughout the course for effective problem-solving and decision-making in marine biology.
Introduzione alla Biologia Marina (1 CFU)
• Che cos’è la Biologia Marina e perché è importante studiare l’ambiente marino
• Panoramica delle principali caratteristiche fisico-chimiche e idrodinamiche dell’ambiente marino
• Raggruppamenti ecologici degli organismi acquatici, classificati in base al loro habitat e alla mobilità nella colonna d'acqua: Plancton, Benthos, Nekton
• Habitat costieri, pelagici e bentonici
Biodiversità Marina (3.5 CFU)
• Adattamenti e specializzazioni degli organismi marini all’ambiente marino (salinità, respirazione, luce, pressione, comunicazione, riproduzione, nutrizione)
• Inquadramento tassonomico ed evolutivo della biodiversità marina:
Phyla non bilateri basali: Porifera, Ctenophora, Cnidaria
Bilateri basali: Platelminti, Nemertea
Lofotrocozoi: Brachiopodi, Briozoi, Anellidi, Molluschi
Ecdisozoi: Nematodi, Artropodi marini (crostacei, limuli)
Deuterostomi: Echinodermi, Cordati (tunicates, lancette, vertebrati)
• Biogeografia marina
• Habitat biogenici: praterie di fanerogame marine, barriere coralline, foreste di kelp, banchi di mitili e ostriche
Breve Introduzione alle Minacce Antropiche agli Ecosistemi Marini, Blue Growth e Quadro Normativo (0.5 CFU)
• Principali impatti antropici sugli ecosistemi marini: sovrasfruttamento, perdita di habitat, inquinamento, specie aliene invasive e cambiamento climatico
• La strategia europea Blue Growth: conciliare sviluppo sostenibile e conservazione marina
• Strumenti gestionali chiave: Pianificazione Spaziale Marina, Gestione Ecosistemica, Aree Marine Protette (AMP), rete Natura 2000
• Quadro normativo internazionale (es. CBD, UNCLOS, MSFD)
Attività di Laboratorio e sul Campo (1 CFU)
Modalità Esame
La valutazione si svolgerà attraverso una prova orale, basata su domande a risposta aperta. Al termine di ciascun modulo, agli studenti verrà fornita una serie di quesiti utili per la preparazione all’esame.
Durante la prova, gli studenti dovranno dimostrare la capacità di analizzare criticamente e collegare tra loro i contenuti affrontati nei diversi moduli.
Testi adottati
Materiale presentato nelle lezioni. Per la parte di sulla biodiversità marina, si consiglia un buon manuale di Zoologia:
Hickman, C. P. Jr., Keen, S. L., Eisenhour, D. J., Larson, A., & I’Anson, H. (2023). Integrated Principles of Zoology (19th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw‑Hill Education.
Modalità di frequenza
Vivamente consigliata
OPZIONALI TRA CUI SCEGLIERE N.2 ESAMI CHE DIVENTANO OBBLIGATORI
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MODULO A ( THEORY ) THEORY AND APPLICATION IN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION - ADVANCED ( FOR MASTER DEGREE STUDENTS)
GIANLUCA PIOVESAN
Primo Semestre
3
BIO/07
Obiettivi formativi
1. Knowledge and Understanding
Students will have a comprehensive and critical understanding of:
Biodiversity conservation and restoration principles, including current challenges and the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy.
Conservation ecology and biology, encompassing key theories and practices.
Sustainable natural resources management, with a focus on ecological integrity and long-term viability.
Innovative methods in biodiversity monitoring, including biomonitoring and remote sensing techniques.
Effective governance of protected areas, including understanding the complexities of transnational management and policy gaps.
2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding
Students will be able to:
Apply scientific knowledge to address practical challenges in nature protection and ecosystem restoration.
Utilize innovative and transdisciplinary methods for biodiversity monitoring and protected area management.
Critically analyze and interpret data from biomonitoring and remote sensing for conservation purposes.
Develop and implement strategies for effective management of protected areas at various scales.
Translate scientific excellence into practical solutions for biodiversity challenges.
3. Making Judgements
Students will be able to:
Formulate and critically evaluate appropriate solutions to complex problems in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration, considering scientific, ethical, and societal implications.
Assess the effectiveness of different approaches to protected area management and sustainable natural resources management.
Make informed decisions regarding the application of innovative methods and technologies in biodiversity monitoring.
Demonstrate awareness of the gaps in current knowledge and contribute to filling them through critical analysis and synthesis.
4. Communication
Graduates will be able to:
Communicate effectively about complex issues in biodiversity conservation and restoration to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Engage in international cooperation and articulate their findings and ideas in a transnational context.
Participate in professional and academic discussions, defending their judgments and contributing to collaborative problem-solving.
(Only For PhD students acting as peer educators): Effectively convey complex scientific concepts and practical methodologies to students at different academic levels (MSc and Bachelor's).
5. Learning Skills
Graduates will have the learning skills to:
Undertake self-directed and autonomous learning in the field of biodiversity conservation and restoration, staying updated with new scientific developments and innovative methodologies.
Engage in continuous professional development and adapt to evolving challenges in nature protection and ecosystem management.
Critically reflect on their own learning process and identify areas for further development.
Utilize e-learning platforms and other digital tools for effective knowledge acquisition and sharing.
This course provides a comprehensive overview of biodiversity, from theoretical concepts and monitoring methods to governance and management.
M1: Theoretical and Applied Contents. Advanced knowledge of biodiversity in face of global changes (6 hours)
Species traits identification methods (taxonomy, genetics, ecology): Plantae, Fungi, Animalia (2 hours) - UNITUS (A. Bellati), UNIBO (Del Vecchio S.)
The lecture aims at guiding the students through a first approach for species identification. At the end of the course the students will have learnt which part of the plant they have to focus on for plant identification, they will have acquired the basic botanic terminology, and how to use the dichotomous keys for plant identification. The lecturer aims to provide the background knowledge for species identification, with focus on animal species. At the end of the course, the students will become familiar with species concepts, species traits identification and tools, and their application for classification of biological diversity.
Global Change Biology (2 hours) - (UNIPASSAU): C. Schmitt, Joao Vidal (UNITUS): G. Piovesan, M. Baliva, G. Chiatante E.C.O. - Institut für Ökologie (ECO): Jana Baumgartner, Klaus Steinbauer
As early as 1994, Peter M. Vitousek described major drivers of global environmental change that stem from human activities. These included climate change caused by an increase of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere, alterations in the global nitrogen cycle, alien species, pollution and globally pervasive land use/land cover change. More recent publications add biodiversity loss and biotic invasions to the list (e.g., Tanentzap & Kolmakova 2023). In this lecture, UP will first give a general introduction to the mechanisms behind the most important drivers of global change, highlighting global implications. Next, UNITUS and ECO will present the specific effects of global change on European ecosystems and protected areas, along with effective mitigation solutions.
Area-based conservation (e.g. island bio- geography theory and fragmentation) (2 hour) (UNIBO): Roberto Cazzolla Gatti
Area-based conservation methods of species, communities and ecosystems focusing on in situ conservation strategies (protected areas, national and regional parks, natural sites, etc.)
M2: Monitoring Methods. Introduction to monitoring methods (14 hours)
Remote sensing applications for tracking land use with special focus on forest composition (an introduction to the tools with some examples) (3 hours) - (UNIGRAZ): M. Hirschmugl, F. Lippl
Protected areas, but also their surroundings are hotspots of biodiversity, yet they are strongly shaped by past and current land use. Long-term as well as abrupt changes caused by land use and climate change can affect important functions, such biodiversity, protection against natural disasters and carbon storage. Therefore, we need to monitor these changes closely over time. Important variables include ecosystem spatial extent, disturbances and structure. Monitoring these variables over space and time consistently across larger areas is challenging using solely local in-situ data. We therefore learn about remote sensing approaches for monitoring including long-term satellite archives, high-resolution optical imagery, active remote sensing, and historical data.
Sample design, basic statistics and data cleaning (3 hours) - (UNITUS): Bruno Bellisario, (UNIPASSAU): Schmitt, Joao Vidal, (CUAS): V.Berger
For a successful monitoring approach, a well-designed sampling strategy and analytical approach are crucial. Depending on the research question and the chosen monitoring method, an appropriate sampling design must be selected. This module will introduce various spatial considerations for monitoring, including the area of interest, minimum mapping units, and plot design. Additionally, students will gain an overview of different statistical sampling designs, such as random, stratified, systematic, and subjective, and understand the advantages and disadvantages of each. They will explore measures of central tendency such as the mean, median, and mode, as well as measures of dispersion including range, variance, and standard deviation. Additionally, they will learn about probability distributions and hypothesis testing, which will enable them to understand the significance of observed data patterns. Also strategies for identifying and handling missing data, detecting and addressing outliers, and standardizing data formats will be introduced. This module will provide students with a basic knowledge to proficiently collect, analyze, and interpret data in the context of monitoring.
Data is everywhere, coming in different shapes and sizes. The way with which we measure, collect and analyse data can lead to nuanced interpretations, sometimes bringing incorrect conclusions. This lecture will introduce general principles and applications of data science in ecology. Students will learn the basics of data analysis to manage and analyse ecological data for a correct interpretation of results
QGIS (QField will be part of Module B) (3 hours). (UNIGRAZ) M. Hirschmugl, (ECO): L. Posch
and (CUAS): V. Berger
This module provides a comprehensive overview of the use of QGIS for nature conservation, covering key aspects from planning and analysis to monitoring and management. Participants will explore the QGIS interface, basic functions and spatial data management, gaining knowledge of importing, managing and creating spatial data. They will get an overview about spatial analysis methods used for different monitoring methodologies in QGIS, followed by cartographic design principles and techniques for creating custom maps that effectively convey conservation data. Through a mix of theoretical insights, practical exercises and case studies, participants will develop both the knowledge and practical skills they need to use QGIS for monitoring in nature conservation.
Biodiversity Monitoring and Bioindicators (3 hours). (UNIBO): Juri Nascimbene, (UNITUS): Francesco Cerini
In this lecture, the concept of Biodiversity monitoring will be breakdown. Several case studies will be presented, covering methods and tools to measure and monitor the different facets of biodiversity (species population, communities, habitat structure and biological processes). Particular focus will be on community level bioindicators in freshwater system, as IBE, EPT and STAR ecological indices will be illustrated.
M3: Governance and Management of Protected Areas (8 hours)
Synergies and trade-off regarding biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation (2 hours) - (UNITUS): G. Piovesan, M. Baliva, (UNIPASSAU): C. Schmitt and (Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna): E. Chiti
The global forests are unique and crucial ecosystems because of the biodiversity they harbour and the many ecosystem services they provide, including carbon sequestration and carbon storage. Negotiations at the international level have long aimed to create synergies between global biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation targets, culminating in the REDD+ mechanism under the UNFCCC. However, focusing on carbon storage in the above-ground living biomass of forests can create trade-offs for ecosystems that have high biodiversity but lower above-ground carbon, such as savannahs or peatlands. Besides measures promoted to increase carbon storage of European forests can contradict measure to protect their biodiversity. This lecture will introduce the topic by highlighting biodiversity and carbon indicators and moving from the global level to the European perspective.
UNESCO (World Heritage site, Man and Biosphere) (1 hours) - UNITUS): M. Colantoni, C. Mansi
The lecture provides insight into UNESCO’s integrated approach, uniting the World Heritage Convention, the MAB Programme, and Geoparks for natural conservation and fostering sustainable development.
Natura 2000, EU Restoration law, rewilding (a global perspective) (2 hours) - (UNITUS): G. Piovesan, G. Filibeck, M. Baliva and (UNIBO): A. Chiarucci
Introduction to the EU Habitats Directive. The Natura 2000 network and its management rules. The Habitat Types of Community Interest and their identification and monitoring. Links between the EU Regulation on Nature Restoration (aka “Nature Restoration Law”) and the Habitats Directive.
Introduction to the complex interplay between biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, and socio-economic interests within the EU Biodiversity Strategy and Nature Restoration Law. Key trade-offs include nature conservation versus economic use of reneawble resources, short- versus long-term goals, and different ecosystem and social economic priorities. Approaches such as strictly protected areas, close-to-nature forestry, and rewilding offer integrated, science-based solutions.
In response to growing environmental concerns in the late 20th century, several international initiatives and legal frameworks, such as the Birds and Habitats Directives, led to the creation of the Natura 2000 network—Europe’s cornerstone for biodiversity conservation. Within this framework, ECO has managed a Natura 2000 site near Lake Wörthersee in the city of Klagenfurt for over ten years.
Effective protected areas management (1 hours) - UNITUS): F. Cerini
Protected areas (PAs) are fundamental to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem functions, but their conservation outcomes are just as good as their management processes. In this lecture, students will learn about PAs typologies and management actions, and how their effectiveness in preserving natural systems is measured. Additionally, students will gain new possible perspectives on what conservationists should aim to conserve.
Modalità Esame
To help students become familiar with the format, question styles, and overall structure of the exam, a practice exam (Mock) is available on Moodle. This is intended to boost confidence and minimize test-taking anxiety.
The in-person BestNature final exam, which covers all course topics available on Moodle, is a 45-minute written test worth a total of 45 points. The questions are in a variety of formats, including multiple-choice, "pick the right term," and word-matching.
Testi adottati
The course is available in asynchronous mode on the Moodle platform of the University of Tuscia, where recorded lessons with various teaching methods and in-depth materials are available.
Modalità di frequenza
The course is available asynchronously on the University of Tuscia's Moodle platform.
MODULO B ( APPLICATION) THEORY AND APPLICATION IN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION - ADVANCED ( FOR MASTER DEGREE STUDENTS)
GIANLUCA PIOVESAN
Primo Semestre
3
BIO/07
Obiettivi formativi
Building directly on the theoretical foundations of Module A, Module B offers an intensive, applied learning experience focused on biodiversity monitoring and conservation. Students will immerse themselves in a real-world case study: a designated protected area. Under the direct guidance of both university professors and experienced park managers, participants will gain hands-on knowledge and practical skills essential for effectively monitoring and managing a protected natural environment.
1. Knowledge and Understanding
Students will have a comprehensive and critical understanding of:
Biodiversity conservation and restoration principles, including current challenges and the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy.
Conservation ecology and biology, encompassing key theories and practices.
Sustainable natural resources management, with a focus on ecological integrity and long-term viability.
Innovative methods in biodiversity monitoring, including biomonitoring and remote sensing techniques.
Effective governance of protected areas, including understanding the complexities of transnational management and policy gaps.
2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding
Students will be able to:
Apply scientific knowledge to address practical challenges in nature protection and ecosystem restoration.
Utilize innovative and transdisciplinary methods for biodiversity monitoring and protected area management.
Critically analyze and interpret data from biomonitoring and remote sensing for conservation purposes.
Develop and implement strategies for effective management of protected areas at various scales.
Translate scientific excellence into practical solutions for biodiversity challenges.
3. Making Judgements
Students will be able to:
Formulate and critically evaluate appropriate solutions to complex problems in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration, considering scientific, ethical, and societal implications.
Assess the effectiveness of different approaches to protected area management and sustainable natural resources management.
Make informed decisions regarding the application of innovative methods and technologies in biodiversity monitoring.
Demonstrate awareness of the gaps in current knowledge and contribute to filling them through critical analysis and synthesis.
4. Communication
Graduates will be able to:
Communicate effectively about complex issues in biodiversity conservation and restoration to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Engage in international cooperation and articulate their findings and ideas in a transnational context.
Participate in professional and academic discussions, defending their judgments and contributing to collaborative problem-solving.
(Only For PhD students acting as peer educators): Effectively convey complex scientific concepts and practical methodologies to students at different academic levels (MSc and Bachelor's).
5. Learning Skills
Graduates will have the learning skills to:
Undertake self-directed and autonomous learning in the field of biodiversity conservation and restoration, staying updated with new scientific developments and innovative methodologies.
Engage in continuous professional development and adapt to evolving challenges in nature protection and ecosystem management.
Critically reflect on their own learning process and identify areas for further development.
Utilize e-learning platforms and other digital tools for effective knowledge acquisition and sharing.
Module B includes a field week session in a National Park. The BESTNATURE Field Weeks (BFWs) are designed to provide students with hands-on experience in applying field monitoring techniques and effective protected area management, with the goal of developing practical, cross-curricular, and interdisciplinary knowledge.
The module teaches students how to collect and analyze ecological data using major biodiversity and tree-ring analysis software packages. The main topics of Module B are:
Environmental and remote sensing techniques in biodiversity monitoring and assessment.
Sampling design & monitoring: mapping biodiversity and ecosystem function (e.g., flora, fauna, habitats, dendroecology, and paleoecology).
Late afternoon Lab: Statistical analysis of collected biodiversity data using software packages (primarily R-based packages).
Biodiversity reporting for the assessment of protected area management effectiveness (e.g., how to write a policy brief).
In the final part of the course, students will learn to develop a web platform for visualizing biodiversity monitoring data from a specific protected area. They will collaborate with local stakeholders and organizations involved in biodiversity monitoring. Undergraduate and graduate students will interact with doctoral students who will serve as peer mentors, in collaboration with researchers and professors.
Modalità Esame
Final Report Guidelines
The final report is a prerequisite for earning 3 ECTS credits (Module B). The report should focus on the monitoring activities students participated in during the BESTNATURE Field Weeks (BFWs). These BFWs involved a variety of monitoring activities, which were subsequently analyzed and discussed in an online webinar.
Each student must select at least two monitoring activities and integrate them into their report, emphasizing their importance for biodiversity conservation. Reports should specifically focus on the Protected Areas visited during the BFWs. The evaluation will assess the depth of analysis presented and the student's ability to effectively present and discuss their chosen monitoring activities. Students may incorporate data analysis into their reports for some activities.
Report Structure:
Introduction: The BESTNATURE project
Study Region: Area of study, Environment, ecology, biodiversity
The Excursion: Summary of the activities, Topic selection
Topic 1: Method, results, interpretation
Topic 2: Method, results, interpretation
Personal Conclusions: Reflections on the topics and the excursion, personal learning outcomes, and reflections on the overall experience
References
Formalities:
The report should be 10-15 pages long, including figures.
Raw tables and data can be included in an appendix.
If the report focuses on data analysis, 10 pages are sufficient.
If the report is more descriptive, it should be up to 15 pages.
Testi adottati
Before the BFW, the Partners worked together on the Handbook “Guidelines for Biodiversity Monitoring in Protected Areas—methods and devices for monitoring terrestrial and freshwater habitats in forest ecosystems.” This manual aims to provide students with theoretical knowledge about the most innovative monitoring methods planned for the BFW.
Modalità di frequenza
Obbligatoria
APPLIED BIOORGANIC
BRUNO MATTIA BIZZARRI
Primo Semestre
6
CHIM/06
Obiettivi formativi
Knowledge and understanding - The principles of organic reactivity that underlie the functioning of biological systems and the development of biomimetic systems.
Applying knowledge and understanding - Mastery of basic knowledge relating to organic chemistry, correlating them to the main reactive pathways and the different types of supramolecular interactions underlying the reactions that occur in living systems.
Making judgments - Ability to recognize the main classes of biological and biomimetic reactions and the main chemical interactions (bonding and non-binding) that regulate them;
Communication skills - On the topic of the course.
Learning skills - Students will have to be able to apply the acquired knowledge in an appropriate, relevant and flexible way in order to elaborate, adopting appropriate chemical symbols, the biosynthetic and biomimetic reactions studied in depth in the course. In the laboratory part, students will apply theoretical knowledge to simple reactions of biological interest by appropriately processing the data obtained experimentally with the aim of studying the reaction trend, developing methods of quantification and purification of compounds of biological origin, determining the course regio and stereochemical of enzymatic reactions and perform reactions of biochemical relevance with biomimetic synthesis catalysts.
PLANT BIOLOGY AND RESTORING OF COASTAL MARINE ECOSYSTEMS
LAURA ZUCCONI GALLI FONSECA
Primo Semestre
6
BIO/03
Obiettivi formativi
Educational objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with comprehensive knowledge and understanding of plant diversity, adaptation strategies to the environment, coastal plant communities, and beach dynamics. This knowledge is crucial for understanding the conservation status of these fragile and threatened ecosystems, monitoring them, and identifying the most appropriate strategies for their protection and restoration.
The course aims to provide a foundation for a deeper comprehension and study of the plant components of coastal ecosystems.
Knowledge and understanding - Develop knowledge and understanding of the diversity of plant organisms and coastal communities, highlighting their adaptation to the unique conditions of coastal environments.
Applying knowledge and understanding - Apply the knowledge acquired at lesson to interpret potential changes in communities composition and functionality due to variations in environmental parameters.
Making judgments - Formulate hypotheses independently in response to potential issues, and efficiently share and support these hypotheses within the scientific community and with stakeholders.
Communication skills -Students will be encouraged to acquire and use scientifically accurate terminology related to the topics covered, also by the preparation of self-developed material.
Learning skills - Stimulate curiosity and deepen knowledge of the plant world through engaging field activities.
Flora, Raunkiær plant life-forms, chorotypes.
Landscape ecology. Fire consequences on vegetation.
The shape of the coasts and their classification
Factors acting on the shores: waves, tides, winds
Sea level changes
Adaptations of plants to salinity, aridity and wind
Rocky shores, cliffs
Colonization of rocks, soil formation, ecological succession
Vegetation of rocky coasts
Mediterranean maquis and climax vegetation
The beaches: formation, classification, turnover and morphology
Human impact on the beaches
Marine phanerogams.
Dune: definition, formation, zoning
Psammophilous vegetation, adaptations and succession of dunes
Degradation of the dune system
Plant communities
Coastal environments at risk: lagoons, coastal lakes and brackish ponds and their vegetation
The mangroves
Fire and pyrophytism
Biodiversity conservation, red lists and germplasm bank
Coastal lakes
Coastal forests
Botanic excursion
Modalità Esame
The exam consists of an oral test on the topics covered in the lectures, with the possibility for the student to propose a topic for in-depth study. This topic may be presented using a PowerPoint presentation, which can serve as a starting point for broader discussion and connections with other subjects included in the course syllabus.
The vote is expressed in thirtyths, with honors possible. Passing the exam requires a mark of at least eighteen/thirtieths and the attribution of the necessary university training credits.
The following factors will be considered when evaluating the tests and assigning the final grade: the level of knowledge of the contents demonstrated (superficial, appropriate, precise and complete, complete and thorough), the ability to apply the theoretical concepts (errors in applying the, fair, good, well established), the capacity for analysis, synthesis, and interdisciplinary connections (sufficient, good, excellent), the capacity for critical sense and the formulation of judgments (sufficient, good, excellent), the mastery of expression (exposition deficient, simple, clear and correct, safe and correct).
Testi adottati
PowerPoint presentations provided by the professor
Articles provided during the course
Selected book chapters and suggested online resources
Quaderni Habitat – Ministero dell’Ambiente (available online)
Modalità di svolgimento
Oral lessons, pdf presentations, field practices
Modalità di frequenza
Attendance to lessons is not required, but strongly recommended
Bibliografia
PowerPoint presentations provided by the professor
Articles provided during the course
Selected book chapters and suggested online resources
Quaderni Habitat – Ministero dell’Ambiente (available online)
119970 - BIOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS OF MARINE FUNGI AND ALGAE
MARCELLA PASQUALETTI
Secondo Semestre
7
BIO/02
Obiettivi formativi
Educational objectives
The course will enable students to understand the peculiar morphological, physiological and metabolic characteristics of algae and marine fungi, their role in the marine environment and interactions with other organisms. Furthermore, it will allow to know the basic techniques for their sampling and taxonomical identification. The course will provide a framework for understanding current issues related to algae and marine fungi and their potential applications (i.e. their importance for other marine organisms, their potential in biotechnology, the harmful algae blooms). The course will provide the necessary insights to understand the ecological peculiarities of algae and marine fungi.
Knowledge and understanding - To get the knowledge regarding the basic principles of biology, physiology and ecology of algae and marine fungi and their potential in biotechnology.
Applying knowledge and understanding - To understand the main ecosystem issues concerning algae and marine fungi with particular regard to interactions with the other biotic components including humans. To acquire the basic knowledge regarding the experimental approach to study the fungal and algal communities.
Making judgements -The ability to construe the results obtained by the various studies in phycology and marine mycology. The ability to understand the role of the studied organisms in the environment and their influence on the biology of other organisms.
Communication skills - Ability to effectively communicate and/or share knowledge about phycology and marine mycology, the significance of these organisms in marine environments, and their interactions with other living organisms, with specialists and non-specialists in the specific field.
Learning skills - Ability to describe scientific topics related to phycology and marine mycology both in written and oral forms by a specific scientific/technical language. Ability to use the methods acquired for recognition and cultivation of algae and fungi. This ability will be developed also trough the active involvement of the students in discussions during the lectures and by laboratory experiences.
Introduction to the course, knowledge verification test of plant biology.
Algae definition; photosynthesis in aquatic environments: problems and solutions. The role of algae in biogeochemistry and technological applications. The diversification of eukaryotic algae: endosymbiosis.
Cellular organization, anatomy, sexual and asexual reproduction, biochemistry, biotechnology and ecology of the major algal phyla:
Cyanobacteria (Cyanophyceae )
Glaucophyta
Rhodophyta (Cyanidophyceae, Porphyridiophyceae, Rhodellophyceae, Compsopogonophyceae, Bangiophyceae, Florideophyceae )
Chlorophyta: Prasinophhyceae, Chlorophyceae, Ulvophyceae, Trebuxiophyceae class and Charophycean algae.
Chromophyta: (Chrysophyceae, Synurophyceae, Tribophyceae, Eustigmatophyceae, Raphydophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Phaeophyceae)
Cryptophyta, Prymnesiophyta, Dinophyta, Euglenophyta, Chlorarachniophyta.
Phytoplankton, macroalgal and periphyton ecology.
Introduction to the marine fungi: biology, ecology, biotecnology.
Macroalgae: collection, classification and preparation of dry macroalgae samples (Exsicata).
Microalgae: collection, microscopic observations, taxonomical classification.
Marine fungi: collection of algal samples, Isolation of algicolous fungi, microscopic observations, taxonomical classification.
Screening for the production of metabolites / enzymes of industrial interest.
Svolgimeno
Lectures (48 h), laboratory experiences and educational excursions (7h).
Lesson attendance is highly suggested.
The student will be assessed through questions regarding the entire program carried out.
Modalità Esame
The evaluation (minimum score of 18/30) will consist of three parts: a written examination, a teamwork activity, and Herbarium tables.
Written examination(70%)
The main part of the student evaluation will consist of a written examination covering the entire course program, including topics covered during practical and laboratory lectures.
The written examination will consist of various multiple-choice and open questions to evaluate the student's knowledge and comprehension of the course topics.
The written examination will be considered approved by a minimum score of 18/30.
Student Projects (20%)
Each group, composed of 3-4 students, must choose a topic related to an application of marine fungi or algae, and prepare a written report based on scientific papers (2-3). The teamwork activity will be presented through PowerPoint presentations to the class (Master Classes).
Herbarium table (10%)
Five Herbarium tables– this activity can be done during the field trip.
Testi adottati
Barsanti L., Gualtieri P. 2006. Algae, anatomy, Biochemistry and Biotecnology. Taylor & Francis. NW.
Graham L.E., Graham J.M., Wilcox L.W. 2009.Algae (second edition) Pearson Benjamin Cummings. San Francisco.
Hoek C., Mann D.G., Jahns, H.M. 1995. Algae. An introduction to phycolgy. Cambridge University press.
Rodriguez-Prieto et al., 2015. Alghe e Fanerogame del Mediterraneo. Il Castello
Modalità di svolgimento
Lectures (48 h), laboratory experiences and educational excursions (7h).
Modalità di frequenza
Lesson attendance is highly suggested.
Bibliografia
Pasqualetti M., Bernini R., Carletti L., Crisante F., Tempesta S., 2010 - Salinity and nitrate concentration on the growth and carotenoids accumulation in a strain of Dunaliella salina (Chlorophyta) cultivated under laboratory conditions. Transitional Water Bulletin, 4: 42-52, ISSN: 1825-229X, doi: 10.1285/i1825229x.
Tempesta S, Paoletti M., Pasqualetti M., 2010 - Morphological and molecular identification of a strain of the unicellular green alga Dunaliella sp. isolated from Tarquinia salterns. Transitional Water Bulletin,. 4: 8-18, ISSN: 1825-229X, doi: 10.1285/i1825229x.
Malavasi V., Škaloud P., Rindi F., Tempesta S., Paoletti M., Pasqualetti M. 2016.The Pitfalls of DNA-based Taxonomy: a Reevaluation of the Species Concept within the Coccoid Green Algal Genus Coccomyxa (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta). PLOS ONE, 1-25, ISSN:1932-6203, doi: 10.1371/jurnal.pone.0151137.
Pasqualetti M., Barghini P., Giovaninni V., Fenice M. 2019. High production of chitinolytic activity in halophilic conditions by a new marine strain of Clonostachys rosea. Molecules, ISSN: 1420-3049, doi: 10.3390/molecules24101880.
Giovannini V., Barghini P., Gorrasi S., Fenice M., Pasqualetti M. 2019. Marine fungi: a potential source of novel enzymes for environmental and biotechnological applications. Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology, 20:1214-1222, ISSN: 1311-5065.
Botta L., Saladino R., Barghini P., Fenice M., Pasqualetti M. 2020. Production and identifcation of two antifungal terpenoids from the Posidonia oceanica epiphytic Ascomycota Mariannaea humicola IG100. Microbial Cell Factories, 19, ISSN: 1475-2859, doi: 10.1186/s12934-020-01445-7.
Pasqualetti M., Giovannini V., Barghini P., Gorrasi S., Fenice M. 2020. Diversity and ecology of culturable marine fungi associated with Posidonia oceanica leaves and their epiphytic algae Dictyota dichotoma and Sphaerococcus coronopifolius. Fungal Ecology, 44, 100906, ISNN:1754-5048, doi: 10.1016/j.funeco.2019.100906.
119972 - MARINE MICROBIOLOGY
MASSIMILIANO FENICE
Secondo Semestre
6
BIO/19
Obiettivi formativi
Educational objectives
The course will enable an understanding of the morphological, physiological, and metabolic characteristics of marine microorganisms (mainly prokaryotes), covering also their environmental role and interactions with other marine organisms. The course will enable an understanding of the primary interactions between marine microorganisms and the environment, with particular attention to some extreme marine environments, also in relation to the biogeochemical cycles. The course will supply a reference framework to comprehend modern aspects related to the marine microbial world and the potential applications of useful microorganisms.
Knowledge and understanding - To get knowledge regarding the peculiarities of marine microbial biology, their metabolism, their role in the marine environment, their interaction with other organisms, and their potential in biotechnology.
Applying Knowledge and understanding -To understand the issues related to the relationships between marine microorganisms and the environment (including other organisms). To acquire knowledge regarding the experimental approach to studying the marine microbial world.
Making judgements -The ability to construe the results obtained by the various studies in marine microbiology. The ability to understand the role of marine microorganisms in the environment and their influence on the biology of other organisms.
Communication skills - Ability to effectively communicate and/or share knowledge about marine microbiology, the significance of microorganisms in marine environments, and their interactions with other living organisms, with specialists and non-specialists in the specific field.
Learning skills - Ability to describe scientific topics related to marine microbiology both in written and oral forms by a specific scientific/technical language. Ability to use the methods acquired for microorganism sampling, recognition/identification and cultivation. This ability will be developed also through the active involvement of the students in discussions during the lectures, laboratory experiences and field activities.
Introduction. Marine microbiology among the Microbiological disciplines. Topics of marine microbiology, history and objectives. Marine environments and microorganisms. The physicochemical marine environment (notes). Methods and techniques of marine microbiology (reminders of General microbiology). Microscopy and flow cytometry. Sampling, cultivation and characterization of marine microorganisms. Identification of marine microorganisms (PCR, FISH, sequencing, etc.) Study of marine communities: DGGE, TRFLP, PLFA, clone libraries (notes). NGS, metagenetic and metagenomic. Diversity of marine microorganisms. Phototropic (oxygenic and anoxygenic) bacteria. Nitrifying, anammox, S- and Fe- oxidizing bacteria. Sulfate-reducing, luminescent, halophilic, methanogenic and methanotroph bacteria. Marine Archaea: Euryarchaeota, Crenarchaeota, etc. Hyperthermophilic, Hyperhalophilic and Hyperacidophilic archaea Marine microbial ecology. The microbial loop. The bio-geochemical cycles (reminders from general microbiology). Marine snow. Relationship between marine microorganisms and other marine organisms. Symbiosis, parasitism, pathogenicity. Microbiology of extreme or peculiar marine environments: estuaries and other transition zones. The deep seas, the hyperhaline environments. Marine microorganisms and human beings. Biofouling and biodeterioration, Marine biotechnology. Production of enzymes bio-polymers, biodegradation. Human pathogens and marine environments. Waterborne diseases and microbiological analysis of water.
2) Practical lectures and laboratory (they could vary in relation also to the possibility of making sea excursions) (8 hours, 1 CFU). Sampling of marine microorganisms. Microbial counts. Isolation, cultivation and classification of marine microorganisms. Study of marine bacterial diversity. Screening for industrial microbial metabolites. Microbiological analysis of water.
Modalità Esame
The evaluation (minimum score of 18/30) will consist of two parts: a written examination and a student project.
Written examination
The main part of the student evaluation will consist of a written examination of the whole course program, including the topics covered during practical/laboratory lectures.
The written examination will consist of various multiple-choice questions and 2-3 open questions to evaluate the student's knowledge and comprehension of the course topics.
The written examination will be considered approved by a minimum score of 18/30.
Student Projects:
Groups of students will select a topic on marine microbiology to be deepened by a literature survey and presented through PowerPoint presentations (Master Classes).
The student project will only contribute to improving the score obtained by the written examination and refining the final evaluation score.
Testi adottati
Brock, Madigan, Martino, Parker, "Brock biologia dei microrganismi", CEA Ambrosiana, terza edizione 2007, volume 1 e 2.
Biologia dei microrgamismi di G. Dehò e E. Galli, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2018.
Barbieri, Bestetti, Galli, Zannoni- Microbiologia ambientale ed elementi di ecologia microbica - Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, edizione 2008
Colin Munn - Marine Microbiology: ecology and applications – Garland Science, Taylor & Francis Group, 2nd edition (2011)
http://www.nature.com/nrmicro/focus/marinemicrobiology/index.html
The lectures slides (PDF) are available on line.
During the course, some scientific publications will be distributed and discussed.
Modalità di svolgimento
The course will consist of oral lectures regarding the published program and supported by PowerPoint presentations (available online on Moodle platform). Some scientific papers, concerning specific topics, will be discussed too. The discussion of specific literature will be also carried out by presentations carried out by student groups.
Modalità di frequenza
Attendance to classes is not mandatory, but strobgly suggested.
Bibliografia
-PESCIAROLI C., CUPINI F., SELBMANN L., BARGHINI P. and FENICE M. 2012. Temperature preferences of bacteria isolated from sea water collected in Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea, Russia. Polar Biol 35: 435-445. *
-SILVI S., BARGHINI P., AQUILANTI A., JURAEZ-JIMENEZ B., and FENICE M. 2013. Physiologic and metabolic characterization of a new marine isolate (BM39) of Pantoea sp. producing high levels of exopolysaccharide. Microb Cell Fac 12:10. DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-12-10*
-PESCIAROLI C., RODELAS B., JUAREZ-JIMÉNEZ B., BARGHINI P. and FENICE M. 2015. Bacterial community structure of a coastal area in Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea, Russia: possible relation to tidal hydrodynamics. Ann. Microbiol. 65: 443-453.*
-PESCIAROLI C., BARGHINI P., CERFOLLI F., BELLISARIO B., and FENICE M. 2015. Relationship between phylogenetic and nutritional diversity in Arctic (Kandalaksha Bay) seawater planktonic bacteria Ann. Microbiol. 65: 2405-2414.* DOI 10.1007/s13213-015-1083-4*
-TIMPERIO A.M., GORRASI S., ZOLLA L. AND FENICE M. 2017. Evaluation of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and MALDI BioTyper in comparison to 16S rDNA sequencing for the identification of bacteria isolated from Arctic sea water. Plos-One. 12, 7. Article number e0181860. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181860*
-BARGHINI, P., PASQUALETTI, M., GORRASI, S., and FENICE, M. 2018. Bacteria from the “Saline di Tarquinia” marine salterns revealing very atypical growth profiles in relation to salinity and temperature Mediterr. Mar. Sci, 19 (3) 513-525. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.12681/mms.15514,*
-PASQUALETTI M., BARGHINI P., GIOVANNINI V., AND FENICE M. 2019. High production of chitinolytic activity in halophilic conditions by a new marine strain of Clonostachys rosea. Molecules. 24(10), 1880 10.3390/molecules24101880*
-GORRASI, S., PESCIAROLI, C., BARGHINI, P., PASQUALETTI, M. AND FENICE M. 2019. Structure and diversity of the bacterial community of Kandalaksha Bay (White Sea, Russia), a complex Arctic estuarine system submitted to intense tidal currents. J. Mar. Syst. 196: 77-85.
-PASQUALETTI, M., GIOVANNINI, V., BARGHINI, P., GORRASI, S., AND FENICE M. 2020. Diversity and ecology of culturable marine fungi associated with Posidonia oceanica leaves and their epiphytic algae Dictyota dichotoma and Sphaerococcus coronopifolius. Fungal Ecology 40, Published on line.
120011 - MARINE ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
-
12
-
-
Obiettivi formativi
MARINE ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION -Module A
Educational objectives
The module aims to provide solid knowledge on the ecological and evolutionary processes that regulate the functioning of marine ecosystems.
Knowledge and understanding -The knowledge acquired will concern the general principles on which the mechanisms that determine the distribution, abundance and relationships with the biotic and abiotic environment of marine organisms are based.
Applying knowledge and understanding -The application of knowledge will be focused on understanding the multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and integrative nature of the topics covered. Specific areas of applied knowledge that will be focused on will be conservation biology, global change biology, invasion biology
Making judgements-The ability to formulate autonomous assessments of specific issues of ecological and evolutionary importance will be exercised using the critical reading and collective discussions of the scientific literature.
Communication skills - Students will develop these skills through the exercise of self-expression (interventions in class) to address research questions and through a master class session at the end of the course.
Learning skills - Student will further improve their ability to learn and, consequently, to formulate solid and evidence-based scientific questions, through the analysis of the complex and multi-scalar problems that characterizes ecological and evolutionary investigations.
MODULO A DI MARINE ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
DANIELE CANESTRELLI
Primo Semestre
6
BIO/07
Obiettivi formativi
MARINE ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION -Module A
Educational objectives
The module aims to provide solid knowledge on the ecological and evolutionary processes that regulate the functioning of marine ecosystems.
Knowledge and understanding -The knowledge acquired will concern the general principles on which the mechanisms that determine the distribution, abundance and relationships with the biotic and abiotic environment of marine organisms are based.
Applying knowledge and understanding -The application of knowledge will be focused on understanding the multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and integrative nature of the topics covered. Specific areas of applied knowledge that will be focused on will be conservation biology, global change biology, invasion biology
Making judgements-The ability to formulate autonomous assessments of specific issues of ecological and evolutionary importance will be exercised using the critical reading and collective discussions of the scientific literature.
Communication skills - Students will develop these skills through the exercise of self-expression (interventions in class) to address research questions and through a master class session at the end of the course.
Learning skills - Student will further improve their ability to learn and, consequently, to formulate solid and evidence-based scientific questions, through the analysis of the complex and multi-scalar problems that characterizes ecological and evolutionary investigations.
Ecology and evolutionary biology. Fields of study, methodological approaches, temporal and spatial scales of enquiry.
Marine communities. Ecological factors and biodiversity patterns. The tidal range: causes and consequences of the zonation. Adaptations. Biological interactions, community structure, metacommunity.
Molecular and evolutionary ecology. Principles, methods and fields of investigation. Mechanisms of the evolutionary change. Species and speciation. Phylogeography and biogeography. Diversity and divergence. Dispersal, migration, gene flow. Landscape genetics.
Population and metapopulation. Structure, diversity and demographic changes. Census size, effective size. Historical demographic survey: methods based on demographic and genetic data.
Biological invasions. Causes, vectors and invasion paths. Factors behind successful invasions. Evolution of the invaders. Eco-evolutionary consequences of invasions. Lessepsian invasions.
Variations of the coastline. Causes, time scales, magnitude of changes, effects on biodiversity at the level of population, species, communities.
Evolutionary history of the Mediterranean basin and its shores. Tectonic evolution, climate evolution, impact on biodiversity.
Modalità Esame
The assessment test is an oral examination, with questions aimed at ascertaining the student's theoretical knowledge on the interpretation of the mechanisms that determine the distribution, abundance and relationships with the biotic and abiotic environment of marine organisms.
The methods for attributing the final judgment are based on the number of correct answers, which must be greater than 60% of those proposed.
Testi adottati
Bertness, Bruno, Silliman, Stachowicz, 2014. Marine Community Ecology and Conservation. Sinauer Associates.
Freeland, Kirk, Petersen, 2011. Molecular Ecology. Wiley.
Losos, 2013. The Princeton guide to Evolution. Princeton University Press.
Modalità di svolgimento
The course includes lectures, interactive and supported by Power Point presentations, audiovisuals, with stimulation to deepen specific topics and the choice of potential thesis topics. Propose an understanding of the multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and integrative nature of the topics covered. Analysis of the ecological, ethological and evolutionary processes that regulate the functioning of marine environmental systems. Case study discussion. Training seminars on specific topics. Critical discussion of scientific articles. Go out into the field.
Modalità di frequenza
Attendance to the course is not compulsory, but strongly recommended
Bibliografia
Key readings will be introduced and discussed along the course
MODULO B DI MARINE ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
CLAUDIO CARERE
Primo Semestre
6
BIO/05
Obiettivi formativi
MARINE ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION – Module B
Educational objectives
The course aims to provide solid knowledge on the fundamentals of behavioural biology and the related processes that occur and regulate the functioning of marine animal communities in an evolutionary framework.
Knowledge and understanding -The knowledge acquired will concern the general principles on which the behavioural mechanisms and processes, up to the individual level, determine intra- and inter-specific interactions, distribution, abundance and the relationships with the biotic and abiotic environment.
Applying knowledge and understanding -The application of knowledge will be focused on understanding the multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and integrative nature of the topics covered, including applied aspects.
Making judgements -The ability to formulate autonomous assessments can be exercised in the interpretation phase of the results, during the practical, and using the critical reading of the scientific literature to independently investigate behavioural ecology issues with an integrative approach based on proximate and ultimate causation of behaviour.
Communication skills - These skills will be developed through the exercise of self-expression (interventions in class) as well as in critically reading and discussing assigned scientific articles
Learning skills - The deepening of knowledge will allow to deal with complex and multi-scalar disciplines and problems, and with the variety of investigation methods inherent to them, to formulate solid and evidence-based scientific questions on behavioural ecology issues
Fondamenti di etologia. Storia dello studio del comportamento animale e sua natura integrativa; le quattro domande di Tinbergen. Controllo immediato e ultimo del comportamento. Progettazione della ricerca sul comportamento animale. Cosa osservare e cosa misurare. Substrati neuroendocrini del comportamento. Sviluppo e plasticità del comportamento. Imprinting; effetti materni. Il ruolo dei geni e dell'ambiente. Comunicazione animale. Ecoetologia cognitiva. Valore adattativo ed ecologia comportamentale. Il ruolo del comportamento nell'evoluzione. Scelta del partner e sistemi riproduttivi. Personalità animale. Risposta allo stress. Comportamento sociale e vita di gruppo. Migrazione, orientamento e navigazione. Benessere animale.
Ecologia comportamentale degli organismi marini. Adattamenti comportamentali: fauna costiera insulare, ambiente pelagico; immersioni nei mammiferi marini, vita in profondità. Comportamento sociale; branco, dinamiche di gruppo e auto-organizzazione; colonialità; cure parentali, territorialità, aggressività; inversione sessuale; strategie di foraggiamento. Orientamento, migrazione e ritorno alla casa. Comunicazione acustica; comunicazione chimica; bioluminescenza; elettrolocalizzazione.
Metodologie di studio. Metodi di cattura e marcatura; verifica delle ipotesi; progettazione sperimentale, misurazione del comportamento sul campo e in condizioni controllate (esempi). Metodi di tracciamento: tracciamento satellitare, geolocalizzatori, accelerometri. Software per l'analisi comportamentale.
Etologia applicata. Ecotossicologia comportamentale; interferenti endocrini; effetti del disturbo antropico. Effetti dei cambiamenti climatici. Il comportamento delle specie invasive. Rilevanza degli studi comportamentali nella conservazione e gestione della biodiversità marina. Etorobotica. Comportamento e acquacoltura.
Modalità Esame
L'esame, in forma orale, si svolge nelle forme stabilite dal Regolamento Didattico di Ateneo. A tal fine viene redatto un verbale formale, sottoscritto dal Presidente, dai membri della commissione e dallo studente esaminato. Il voto è espresso in trentesimi, con eventuale lode. Il superamento dell'esame richiede il conseguimento di una votazione non inferiore a diciotto/trentesimi e comporta l'attribuzione dei corrispondenti crediti formativi universitari. Nella valutazione e nell'attribuzione del voto finale si terrà conto: del livello di conoscenza dei contenuti (superficiale, appropriato, ottimo); della capacità di applicazione dei concetti teorici (errori nell'applicazione dei concetti, superficiale, buono, ottimo); della capacità di analisi, sintesi e collegamenti interdisciplinari (sufficiente, buono, ottimo); della capacità di giudizio critico (sufficiente, buono, ottimo); della padronanza espressiva (scorrevolezza logica, chiarezza espositiva, correttezza terminologica).
Testi adottati
Alcock J 2013 Animal Behaviour. An Evolutionary Approach. Oxford University Press
Bateson M, Martin P 2022 Measuring behaviour: an introductory guide. Fourth Edition. Cambridge University Press
Bogliani G, Carere C., Cervo R. Grasso D., Luschi P. 2022 Etologia. Lo studio del comportamento animale, UTET
Krebs JR, Davies NB (eds) 2012 Behavioural Ecology. An Evolutionary Approach- Blackwell
Manning A, Dawkins MS 2012 An Introduction to Animal Behaviour. Cambridge University Press
Bibliografia di riferimento
Carere C, Grignani G, Bonanni R, Della Gala M, Carlini A, Angeletti D, Cimmaruta R, Nascetti G, Mather JA 2015 Consistent individual differences in the behavioural responsiveness of adult male cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) Appl Anim Behav Sci 167, 89-95
Canestrelli D, Bisconti R, Carere C. 2016 Bolder takes all? The behavioural dimension of biogeography. Trends Ecol Evol 31, 35-43
Carere C, Mather JA (Eds.) 2019 The Welfare of Invertebrate Animals. Springer International Publishing, Cham
Carere C, Nascetti G, Carlini A, Santucci D, Alleva E 2015 Actions for restocking of the European lobster (Homarus gammarus): a case study on the relevance of behaviour and welfare assessment of cultured juveniles. Rend Lincei 26, 59-64
Carere C, Maestripieri D (Eds.). 2013 Animal Personalities: Behavior, Physiology, and Evolution. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, London.
Storms RF, Carere C, Musters R, van Gasteren H, Verhulst S, Hemelrijk CK 2022 Deterrence of birds using an artificial predator, the RobotFalcon. J Roy Soc Interface 19, 20220497
Chiatante GP, Carere C, 2024 Flight initiation distance in waterbirds of two coastal wetlands with different protection regimes Rend Fis Acc Lincei 36, 293-303
Latini L, Nascetti G, Grignani G, Bello E, Polverino G, Canestrelli D, Carere C 2023 Limited holding space reduces growth and behavioural performance in juvenile European lobsters Appl Anim Behav Sci 266, 106013
Zoratto F, Cordeschi G, Grignani G, Bonanni R, Alleva E, Nascetti G, Mather JA, Carere C 2018 Variability in the "stereotyped" prey capture sequence of male cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) could relate to personality differences. Anim Cogn 21, 773-785
Zoratto F, Ciabattoni F, Ledda E, Racca A, Carlini A, Santucci D, Alleva E, Carere C 2022 Behavioural changes in farmed sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) experimentally infected by Anisakis nematodes. Rend Fis Acc Lincei 33, 555-567
Latini L, Burini G, Mazza V, Grignani G, De Donno R, Bello E, Tricarico E, Malavasi S, Nascetti G, Canestrelli D, Carere C. 2025 Early-life environment shapes claw bilateral asymmetry in the European lobster (Homarus gammarus) Biol Open 14(3):bio061901. doi: 10.1242/bio.061901
Polverino G, Latini L, Nascetti G, Grignani G, Bello E, Gili C, Carere C, Canestrelli D 2025 Predator cues and environmental complexity shape the behavior and life history of juvenile lobsters Roy Soc Open Sci 12: 241940.
Mazza, V., Pacchiarotti, G., Strinati, C., Carlini, A., Mather, J., & Carere, C. 2024 Personality dimensions in the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris). Behaviour, 161(13-15), 913-948.
Mazza V, Carere C 2024 Wildlife conservation and adaptation to humans Animal Sentience 34 (9) (invited commentary)
Macali A, Ferretti S, Scozzafava S, Gatto E, Carere C 2024 Different behavioural profiles between invasive and native nudibranchs: means for invasion success? Curr Zool 70, 406-417
Modalità di frequenza
Non obbligatoria ma fortemente raccomandata
119973 - MARINE MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
PAOLO BARGHINI
Secondo Semestre
6
CHIM/11
Obiettivi formativi
Educational objectives
The course aims to introduce the student to the so-called “Blue Biotechnology”. Notions will be provided on the importance of the biodiversity of marine microorganisms for the production and exploitation of new biomolecules that can be used in various biotechnological and environmental fields. Attendance and participation in the planned training activities (lectures and laboratory activities) will allow the student to acquire the knowledge necessary to understand the technological approaches used to produce goods and services deriving from the study and use of marine microorganisms and to be able to use the new technologies applied.
Knowledge and understanding - To get knowledge regarding and understand the main issues related to biotechnology in general and marine biotechnology in particular.
Applying knowledge and understanding -To know and understand the issues related to the application of marine biotechnology, with particular reference to production techniques using latest-generation technologies.
Making judgements - Express independent judgments on the resolution of problems related to marine biotechnology; ability to interpret data obtained from microbial cultivations in order to optimize production.
Communication skills - To acquire communication skills and the ability to share knowledge acquired in the field of marine biotechnology and the applicative importance that this topic has in the industrial sector.
Learning skills - Ability to use marine microorganisms as a source of metabolites and enzymes for industrial processes and “drug discovery”; techniques applied to marine microbial biodiversity. Ability to use industrial technologies to cultivate bacteria, fungi and marine microalgae of biotechnological interest on a large scale. Know the different process optimization strategies. Know the technologies used for the genetic transformation of marine microorganisms and the methods of managing transgenic organisms. Identify the main marine sources of enzymes and bioactive products; the main uses of microalgae for the production of feed, cosmetics and active ingredients of pharmacological interest. These skills will also be developed through the active involvement of students in discussions during lectures, laboratory experiences and field activities.
Introduction to Marine Microbial Biotechnology. Bacteria, fungi and marine algae: possible biotechnological applications. Metabolites and enzymes of industrial interest produced by microalgae, fungi and marine bacteria. Bioreactors: technologies for the production of molecules and enzymes of industrial interest produced by marine microorganisms. Optimization and scale-up of production processes and technologies for product recovery. Use of molecular techniques for the improvement of productive strains. Production facilities and growth methods of microalgae. Open and closed systems, photobioreactors. Examples of the main biotechnological applications; production of carotenoids and food supplements; production of nutrients and nutraceutical molecules; production of molecules with pharmacological activity produced by marine fungi. Marine environmental biotechnology and bioremediation.
Modalità Esame
The exam, in written form, takes place in the forms established by art. 23 of the University Didactic Regulations. A special report is drawn up of its development, signed by the President and by the members of the commission and by the student examined. The vote is expressed in thirtieths, with possible praise. Passing the exam presupposes the conferment of a grade of not less than eighteen / thirty and involves the assignment of the corresponding university credits. In the evaluation of the tests and in the assignment of the final mark will take into account: the level of knowledge of the demonstrated contents (superficial, appropriate, precise and complete, complete and in-depth), the ability to apply the theoretical concepts (errors in applying the concepts , discrete, good, well established), the capacity for analysis, synthesis and interdisciplinary links (sufficient, good, excellent), the capacity for critical sense and the formulation of judgments (sufficient, good, excellent), of mastery of expression (lacking, simple, clear and correct, expert and correct).
Testi adottati
Material provided by the teacher.
Modalità di svolgimento
The course includes: 48 hours of classroom lectures by using slides in PowerPoint and classic chalkboard.
Modalità di frequenza
Attendance at lessons is not mandatory.
Bibliografia
Braconcini M, Gorrasi S, Fenice M, Barghini P, Pasqualetti M (2024). Rambellisea gigliensis and Rambellisea halocynthiae, gen. et spp. nov. (Lulworthiaceae) from the Marine Tunicate Halocynthia papillosa. JOURNAL OF FUNGI, vol. 10, ISSN: 2309-608X, doi: 10.3390/jof10020127
Pasqualetti M, Giovannini V, Barghini P, GorrasiS, Fenice M (2020). Diversity and ecology of culturable marine fungi associated with Posidonia oceanica leaves and their epiphytic algae Dictyota dichotoma and Sphaerococcus coronupifolius. FUNGAL ECOLOGY, ISSN: 1754-5048, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FUNECO.2019.100906
Botta L, Saladino R, Barghini P, Fenice M, Pasqualetti M (2020). Production and identification of two antifungal terpenoids from the Posidonia oceanica epiphytic Ascomycota Mariannaea humicola IG100. MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES, vol. 19, ISSN: 1475-2859, doi: 10.1186/s12934-020-01445-7
Pasqualetti M, Barghini P, Giovannini V, Fenice M (2019). High Production of Chitinolytic Activity in Halophilic Conditions by a New Marine Strain of Clonostachys rosea. MOLECULES, ISSN: 1420-3049, doi: 10.3390/molecules24101880
Gorrasi S, Pesciaroli C, Barghini P, Pasqualetti M, Fenice M (2019). Structure and diversity of the bacterial community of an Arctic estuarine system (Kandalaksha Bay) subject to intense tidal currents.. JOURNAL OF MARINE SYSTEMS, vol. 196, p. 77-85, ISSN: 0924-7963, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2019.04.004
PESCIAROLI C, BARGHINI P, CERFOLLI F, BELLISARIO B, FENICE M (2015). Relationship between phylogenetic and nutritional diversity in Arctic (Kandalaksha Bay) seawater planktonic bacteria. ANNALS OF MICROBIOLOGY, vol. 65, p. 2405-2414, ISSN: 1590-4261, doi: 10.1007/s13213-015-1083-4
INSEGNAMENTO
SEMESTRE
CFU
SSD
LINGUA
120384 - OCEANOGRAFY AND ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS
MARCO MARCELLI
Primo Semestre
7
BIO/07
Obiettivi formativi
Educational objectives
With the affirmation in international law of the "Exclusive Economic Zone" concept, and with the adoption of ecological protection areas, Italy must face the problem of protecting the marine environment from a different perspective, which consider not only the coastal areas but also the offshore zones. In this perspective the continental shelf shall be considered an extension of the national territories where hydrocarbons, materials for the ceramic industry, glass industry, metallurgy are extracted and fishing, mariculture and tourism are practiced. Moreover, there is concentrated a growing maritime traffic and almost all the marine engineering works. The coastal marine domain is characterized on one side by physical and ecological conditions that favour life, and on the other side by the multiple uses of the spaces that generate a high conflict between human activities. The new European strategy of "Blue Growth" also explicitly defines the criteria for the sustainable management of maritime spaces and the monitoring of marine ecosystems through analysis of ecosystem services and an integrated approach that provides in situ observations, forecasting models and remote sensing data. Because the common asset of the sea, an interdisciplinary approach to the marine management in its most general sense is of primary importance, with expertise in meteorology, oceanography, geology and biology.
Knowledge and understanding - Having developed knowledge and understanding of the components of marine ecosystems, from pelagic to coastal, necessary for the evaluation of possible sources of anthropogenic disturbance and alteration of the marine ecosystem, at different spatial and temporal scales. Having developed the ability to study and analyse the various issues concerning the marine environment with which the student will be able to independently deal with the various activities and interventions in public institutions and in the private field.
Applying knowledge and understanding- Experimental approach to the study of marine ecosystems and the study of their possible alterations using the main sampling techniques and analysis methodologies presented during the lectures and carried out during the didactic exercises.
Making judgments -To be able to evaluate and deal with the study of the different issues concerning the marine, oceanic and coastal environment presented during the course with adequate skills, competences and a critical sense.
Communication skills - Being able to master the main issues addressed during the course with a correct scientific language.
Learning skills - To be able to apply the knowledge acquired, during lectures and exercises, to cases that require the integration of the topics covered during the course.
Part I: Oceanic and ecological dynamics and their spatial and temporal scales
Elements of geography and representation of the earth's surface, hints of morphology and evolution of the ocean floor. Origin of the sea and oceans and properties of marine waters. Elements of chemistry, physics and dynamics of the seas and oceans.
The boundary conditions and the influence of the continental environment on the coastal marine system.
Coastal morphology and dynamics.
Marine, oceanic and coastal habitats. The zoning of the benthos and the Mediterranean benthic biocoenoses: the classifications of Perès Picard and Riedl.
Vertical and horizontal distribution of oceanographic and ecological quantities. Marine ecological dynamics: biogeochemical cycles, ecological successions. Spatial and temporal scales of the physical and ecological dynamics of marine and oceanic environments: phenomena and processes at micro, meso and macro scale.
Part II: Renewable and non-renewable resources, uses of the coastal strip
The concept of natural resource. Marine, renewable resources (fisheries and aquaculture, renewable energies
marine) and non-renewable (mining and quarrying activities in the coastal and offshore areas). The use of the sea and the coastal strip. Categories and classification of uses.
Part III: The problems of the coastal strip, marine pollution and deposition environments.
Principles of protection and conservation of the marine environment. Marine environment management tools.
Pollution in the coastal marine environment: contamination and deposition environments.
Classification, fate and cycle of pollutants.
The problem of coastal erosion and the concept of physiographic unit. Coastal morphotypes. Beach dynamics and nourishment.
Bioaccumulation and biomagnification, alteration of the trophic structure, alteration of the biocoenoses.
Human time scales and anthropogenic impact scales. Residence time. Climate changes.
Sustainable development, natural capital valuation and other management tools. Outline of marine environmental protection legislation.
Case histories on different themes and at different spatial and temporal scales.
Part IV: Platforms and measuring instruments. Sampling equipment. Experimental methods.
The problem of measurement and sampling scales. The definition of the sampling plan and the identification of the variables to be measured: the descriptors of the marine environment. Problems related to environmental monitoring.
Data acquisition platforms and systems and their relative spatial and temporal scales (oceanographic vessels, satellites and airplanes, towed and autonomous underwater vehicles, oceanographic buoys, beacons and stations, ARGOs and drift buoys).
Measuring instruments and methods: physico-chemical characteristics and optical properties of sea water; direct and indirect measurements of biomass and primary production; dynamic characteristics. Acoustic instruments: active (depth; ecological and geomorphological characteristics of the seabed) and passive (sounds and noise).
Equipment and methods for sampling, storage and transport of samples: sea water, phyto and zooplankton, bottom sediments, benthos. Laboratory equipment and methods in marine ecology. Direct investigation methods using a diver.
Part V: Data analysis and mathematical models.
Data structure; instruments calibration; errors, their causes, data filtering techniques.
Statistical data analysis. Methods of data analyses. Databases and GIS. International sharing of datasets.
Theory and application of mathematical models. Limits and development possibilities.
Modalità Esame
Written and oral exam
The purpose of the written test is a preliminary assessment preparatory to the oral exam.
The oral exam will have as its objective the verification of the knowledge and skills acquired during the course through the adequate exposure and argumentation of the topics addressed in the program and of the learning objectives.
Testi adottati
Recommended reference texts:
• Mann, Kenneth Henry, and John RN Lazier. Dynamics of marine ecosystems: biological-physical interactions in the oceans. John Wiley & Sons, 2013.
• TRUJILLO, A. P.; THURMAN, H. V. Introductory Oceanography. 2007.
• Danovaro, Roberto. Biologia marina: biodiversità e funzionamento degli ecosistemi marini. Città studi edizioni, 2013.
Modalità di frequenza
Discretionary
Bibliografia
Recommended reference texts:
• Mann, Kenneth Henry, and John RN Lazier. Dynamics of marine ecosystems: biological-physical interactions in the oceans. John Wiley & Sons, 2013.
• TRUJILLO, A. P.; THURMAN, H. V. Introductory Oceanography. 2007.
• Danovaro, Roberto. Biologia marina: biodiversità e funzionamento degli ecosistemi marini. Città studi edizioni, 2013.
119977 - MARINE BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
ROBERTA CIMMARUTA
Primo Semestre
7
BIO/07
Obiettivi formativi
Educational objectives
Main aims of this course are: (1) to understand the mechanisms underlying biodiversity patterns in the marine environment; (2) to learn about characteristics and consequences of human impact on all levels of marine biodiversity; (3) to know the conservation strategies suitable to preserve and restore marine biodiversity at population, species and ecosystem level.
Knowledge and understanding- The acquired knowledge will concern the main anthropogenic impacts causing the current massive loss of biodiversity in the marine environment, besides the most important management and conservation strategies to counteract this loss. Furthermore, students will learn how the different levels of hierarchical organization of marine biodiversity respond differentially to the same impacts and how this requires to differentiate conservation strategies to be effective. This objective is reflected in the organization of the program which runs through the hierarchical scale of biodiversity organization (genetics, populations, ecosystems), providing for each level both basic scientific knowledge and the examination of numerous case studies. In this way, students will develop the ability to both understand complex phenomena and plan articulated management strategies.
Applying knowledge and understanding - The knowledge acquired will be applied on the management and conservation strategies to be implemented to protect marine biodiversity. Comprehension skills will be applied by encouraging students to deal with real case studies.
Making judgments -The ability to formulate independent evaluations will be exercised thanks to the interdisciplinary and multilevel reasoning required by this discipline and by the analysis of the case studies proposed, that need the merging of complex and heterogeneous data to be understood.
Communication skills -These skills will be developed through the exercise of one's own expression (interventions during the lessons) and in the coordination of group activities, especially during numerical exercises.
Learning skills -The many concepts learned and the connections linking them all will stimulate a “learning-by-reasoning” process, essential to fully understand ecological mechanisms.
OPZIONALI TRA CUI SCEGLIERE N.2 ESAMI CHE DIVENTANO OBBLIGATORI
-
12
-
-
119966 - MARINE MONITORING
VIVIANA PIERMATTEI
Primo Anno / Primo Semestre
6
BIO/07
Obiettivi formativi
Educational objectives
The aim of the course is to acquire theoretical-practical cognitive tools for the study and monitoring of marine ecosystems; the acquisition of knowledge and skills, including practical ones, in the context of the study of the marine ecosystem. The course will allow students to learn about the main sampling and monitoring techniques of Mediterranean coastal marine environments, community legislation and institutional monitoring. It will also allow them to carry out simple sampling in practice, subsequently verifying in the laboratory the validity of the techniques carried out in the field.
The aim of the course is to build an educational path that, through lectures and practical exercises, allows the student to know the main methods of study and analysis of marine habitats and the main benthic biocoenoses of the Mediterranean.
Knowledge and understanding - Develop knowledge and understanding skills relating to the components of marine ecosystems and the legislation that regulates their monitoring;
Applying knowledge and understanding - Developing an experimental approach to the study of marine ecosystems and the study of their possible alterations;
Making judgments - To be able to evaluate and face with adequate skills, competences and critical sense the study of the different issues concerning the marine, oceanic and coastal environment presented during the course;
Communication skills - Being able to discuss the main issues addressed during the course with a correct scientific language;
Learning skills - To be able to apply the knowledge acquired, during lectures and exercises, to cases that require the integration of the topics covered during the course.
Educational objectives
The course aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of marine parasitology, including the biology, systematics, and ecological roles of marine parasites. Students will acquire practical skills in parasite identification and analysis, alongside the use of modern scientific methodologies. The course also encourages critical thinking and the ability to apply learned knowledge across different ecological research contexts.
Knowledge and skills of understanding - Results concerning the expected acquired knowledge will mainly concern: biological aspects of marine parasites (systematics, life cycles, adaptive evolutionary aspects of the endo-ectoparasites, reproductive strategies, host-manipulation); methodological approaches in the study of marine parasites (collection and storing of parasites, integrative taxonomy, molecular systematics, phylogeny, genomics and transcriptomics, statistical analysis of epidemiological data); biodiversity (knowledge and recognition of the major systematic groups of parasites of marine organism, with particular concerns of the Mediterranean Sea). The acquired knowledge of the students will be assessed by written and/or oral and/or practical tests.
Applying knowledge and understanding - The aspects concerning the application of the knowledge that will be acquired include the ability to: i) analyse and identify the parasitic fauna of marine organisms; ii) orient the parasitological study in different contexts; iii) critically interpret the scientific contributions/publications in various fields of marine parasitology.
Making judgments - The development of critical thinking skills is a core objective of the course. Students will learn to: i) evaluate the reliability and validity of scientific data and methodologies in marine parasitology; ii) assess the ecological and environmental impacts of parasitic interactions within marine ecosystems; iii) integrate interdisciplinary perspectives, considering both biological and ecological dimensions in their analyses. Through case studies, research projects, and critical reviews of current literature, students will practice forming evidence-based conclusions and making informed judgments about complex parasitological issues.
Communication skills - The exercise of critical analysis and the knowledge acquired on fundamental concepts and methodologies in parasitology will allow the ability to formulate autonomous personal evaluations. Students will develop the capability to independently critique and question established theories and practices in marine parasitology, fostering a mindset of continuous inquiry and improvement.
Learning skills - The knowledge acquired and the use of bibliographic sources can allow the application of learning methods to contexts other than those specifically dealt with in the course. Students will be equipped with the skills to continuously update their knowledge and adapt to new scientific advancements in the field of marine parasitology and related disciplines.
Parasitism in comparison with other ecological interactions. Definition of parasitism, hyperparasitism and polyparasitism. Definition of parasite. Types of parasites and hosts, modes of transmission, general life cycles, the concept of zoonosis. Origin of parasitism and adaptive strategies: morphological, physiological, invasion and evasion strategies of the host's immune system, strategies for manipulating the host's phenotype. Systematics of the main groups of parasites: Protozoa, Myxozoa, Digenea, Monogenea, Cestoda, Nematoda, Acanthocephala, Hirudinea, Crustacea. Marine parasites as ecological indicators. Dissection and sampling of marine parasites. Molecular Biology Approaches in Marine Parasitology. Molecular systematics and phylogeny of marine parasites. Co-evolutionary aspects of parasite-host. Monothematic seminars. Practise.
Modalità Esame
The oral exam will be carried out according to the "Regolamento didattico di Ateneo". The oral exam is aimed to ascertain the candidate's preparation on the topics of marine parasitology covered during the lessons.
Testi adottati
Marine Parasitology - Klaus Rohde
Parasites of Marine Fish and Cephalopods - Sven Klimpel, Thomas Kuhn, Julian Muster et al.
Evolutionary Parasitology - Paul Schmid-Hempel
Modalità di svolgimento
The course is organized into lectures and practical exercises.
Modalità di frequenza
Optional but strongly recommended attendance.
Bibliografia
Euzet and Combes, 1998. The selection of habitats among the monogenea.
Palm et al., 2011. Fish Parasites as Biological Indicators in a Changing World: Can We Monitor Environmental Impact and Climate Change?
Kumar et al., 2013. Immune evasion mechanism of parasites in fish.
Sanchez et al., 2016. When Parasites Are Good for Health: Cestode Parasitism Increases Resistance to Arsenic in Brine Shrimps.
Sures et al., 2017. Parasites as drivers of key processes in aquatic ecosystems: Facts and future directions.
121097 - MODULO A ( THEORY ) THEORY AND APPLICATION IN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION - ADVANCED ( FOR MASTER DEGREE STUDENTS)
GIANLUCA PIOVESAN
Primo Anno / Secondo Semestre
3
BIO/07
Obiettivi formativi
1. Knowledge and Understanding
Students will have a comprehensive and critical understanding of:
Biodiversity conservation and restoration principles, including current challenges and the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy.
Conservation ecology and biology, encompassing key theories and practices.
Sustainable natural resources management, with a focus on ecological integrity and long-term viability.
Innovative methods in biodiversity monitoring, including biomonitoring and remote sensing techniques.
Effective governance of protected areas, including understanding the complexities of transnational management and policy gaps.
2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding
Students will be able to:
Apply scientific knowledge to address practical challenges in nature protection and ecosystem restoration.
Utilize innovative and transdisciplinary methods for biodiversity monitoring and protected area management.
Critically analyze and interpret data from biomonitoring and remote sensing for conservation purposes.
Develop and implement strategies for effective management of protected areas at various scales.
Translate scientific excellence into practical solutions for biodiversity challenges.
3. Making Judgements
Students will be able to:
Formulate and critically evaluate appropriate solutions to complex problems in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration, considering scientific, ethical, and societal implications.
Assess the effectiveness of different approaches to protected area management and sustainable natural resources management.
Make informed decisions regarding the application of innovative methods and technologies in biodiversity monitoring.
Demonstrate awareness of the gaps in current knowledge and contribute to filling them through critical analysis and synthesis.
4. Communication
Graduates will be able to:
Communicate effectively about complex issues in biodiversity conservation and restoration to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Engage in international cooperation and articulate their findings and ideas in a transnational context.
Participate in professional and academic discussions, defending their judgments and contributing to collaborative problem-solving.
(Only For PhD students acting as peer educators): Effectively convey complex scientific concepts and practical methodologies to students at different academic levels (MSc and Bachelor's).
5. Learning Skills
Graduates will have the learning skills to:
Undertake self-directed and autonomous learning in the field of biodiversity conservation and restoration, staying updated with new scientific developments and innovative methodologies.
Engage in continuous professional development and adapt to evolving challenges in nature protection and ecosystem management.
Critically reflect on their own learning process and identify areas for further development.
Utilize e-learning platforms and other digital tools for effective knowledge acquisition and sharing.
This course provides a comprehensive overview of biodiversity, from theoretical concepts and monitoring methods to governance and management.
M1: Theoretical and Applied Contents. Advanced knowledge of biodiversity in face of global changes (6 hours)
Species traits identification methods (taxonomy, genetics, ecology): Plantae, Fungi, Animalia (2 hours) - UNITUS (A. Bellati), UNIBO (Del Vecchio S.)
The lecture aims at guiding the students through a first approach for species identification. At the end of the course the students will have learnt which part of the plant they have to focus on for plant identification, they will have acquired the basic botanic terminology, and how to use the dichotomous keys for plant identification. The lecturer aims to provide the background knowledge for species identification, with focus on animal species. At the end of the course, the students will become familiar with species concepts, species traits identification and tools, and their application for classification of biological diversity.
Global Change Biology (2 hours) - (UNIPASSAU): C. Schmitt, Joao Vidal (UNITUS): G. Piovesan, M. Baliva, G. Chiatante E.C.O. - Institut für Ökologie (ECO): Jana Baumgartner, Klaus Steinbauer
As early as 1994, Peter M. Vitousek described major drivers of global environmental change that stem from human activities. These included climate change caused by an increase of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere, alterations in the global nitrogen cycle, alien species, pollution and globally pervasive land use/land cover change. More recent publications add biodiversity loss and biotic invasions to the list (e.g., Tanentzap & Kolmakova 2023). In this lecture, UP will first give a general introduction to the mechanisms behind the most important drivers of global change, highlighting global implications. Next, UNITUS and ECO will present the specific effects of global change on European ecosystems and protected areas, along with effective mitigation solutions.
Area-based conservation (e.g. island bio- geography theory and fragmentation) (2 hour) (UNIBO): Roberto Cazzolla Gatti
Area-based conservation methods of species, communities and ecosystems focusing on in situ conservation strategies (protected areas, national and regional parks, natural sites, etc.)
M2: Monitoring Methods. Introduction to monitoring methods (14 hours)
Remote sensing applications for tracking land use with special focus on forest composition (an introduction to the tools with some examples) (3 hours) - (UNIGRAZ): M. Hirschmugl, F. Lippl
Protected areas, but also their surroundings are hotspots of biodiversity, yet they are strongly shaped by past and current land use. Long-term as well as abrupt changes caused by land use and climate change can affect important functions, such biodiversity, protection against natural disasters and carbon storage. Therefore, we need to monitor these changes closely over time. Important variables include ecosystem spatial extent, disturbances and structure. Monitoring these variables over space and time consistently across larger areas is challenging using solely local in-situ data. We therefore learn about remote sensing approaches for monitoring including long-term satellite archives, high-resolution optical imagery, active remote sensing, and historical data.
Sample design, basic statistics and data cleaning (3 hours) - (UNITUS): Bruno Bellisario, (UNIPASSAU): Schmitt, Joao Vidal, (CUAS): V.Berger
For a successful monitoring approach, a well-designed sampling strategy and analytical approach are crucial. Depending on the research question and the chosen monitoring method, an appropriate sampling design must be selected. This module will introduce various spatial considerations for monitoring, including the area of interest, minimum mapping units, and plot design. Additionally, students will gain an overview of different statistical sampling designs, such as random, stratified, systematic, and subjective, and understand the advantages and disadvantages of each. They will explore measures of central tendency such as the mean, median, and mode, as well as measures of dispersion including range, variance, and standard deviation. Additionally, they will learn about probability distributions and hypothesis testing, which will enable them to understand the significance of observed data patterns. Also strategies for identifying and handling missing data, detecting and addressing outliers, and standardizing data formats will be introduced. This module will provide students with a basic knowledge to proficiently collect, analyze, and interpret data in the context of monitoring.
Data is everywhere, coming in different shapes and sizes. The way with which we measure, collect and analyse data can lead to nuanced interpretations, sometimes bringing incorrect conclusions. This lecture will introduce general principles and applications of data science in ecology. Students will learn the basics of data analysis to manage and analyse ecological data for a correct interpretation of results
QGIS (QField will be part of Module B) (3 hours). (UNIGRAZ) M. Hirschmugl, (ECO): L. Posch
and (CUAS): V. Berger
This module provides a comprehensive overview of the use of QGIS for nature conservation, covering key aspects from planning and analysis to monitoring and management. Participants will explore the QGIS interface, basic functions and spatial data management, gaining knowledge of importing, managing and creating spatial data. They will get an overview about spatial analysis methods used for different monitoring methodologies in QGIS, followed by cartographic design principles and techniques for creating custom maps that effectively convey conservation data. Through a mix of theoretical insights, practical exercises and case studies, participants will develop both the knowledge and practical skills they need to use QGIS for monitoring in nature conservation.
Biodiversity Monitoring and Bioindicators (3 hours). (UNIBO): Juri Nascimbene, (UNITUS): Francesco Cerini
In this lecture, the concept of Biodiversity monitoring will be breakdown. Several case studies will be presented, covering methods and tools to measure and monitor the different facets of biodiversity (species population, communities, habitat structure and biological processes). Particular focus will be on community level bioindicators in freshwater system, as IBE, EPT and STAR ecological indices will be illustrated.
M3: Governance and Management of Protected Areas (8 hours)
Synergies and trade-off regarding biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation (2 hours) - (UNITUS): G. Piovesan, M. Baliva, (UNIPASSAU): C. Schmitt and (Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna): E. Chiti
The global forests are unique and crucial ecosystems because of the biodiversity they harbour and the many ecosystem services they provide, including carbon sequestration and carbon storage. Negotiations at the international level have long aimed to create synergies between global biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation targets, culminating in the REDD+ mechanism under the UNFCCC. However, focusing on carbon storage in the above-ground living biomass of forests can create trade-offs for ecosystems that have high biodiversity but lower above-ground carbon, such as savannahs or peatlands. Besides measures promoted to increase carbon storage of European forests can contradict measure to protect their biodiversity. This lecture will introduce the topic by highlighting biodiversity and carbon indicators and moving from the global level to the European perspective.
UNESCO (World Heritage site, Man and Biosphere) (1 hours) - UNITUS): M. Colantoni, C. Mansi
The lecture provides insight into UNESCO’s integrated approach, uniting the World Heritage Convention, the MAB Programme, and Geoparks for natural conservation and fostering sustainable development.
Natura 2000, EU Restoration law, rewilding (a global perspective) (2 hours) - (UNITUS): G. Piovesan, G. Filibeck, M. Baliva and (UNIBO): A. Chiarucci
Introduction to the EU Habitats Directive. The Natura 2000 network and its management rules. The Habitat Types of Community Interest and their identification and monitoring. Links between the EU Regulation on Nature Restoration (aka “Nature Restoration Law”) and the Habitats Directive.
Introduction to the complex interplay between biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, and socio-economic interests within the EU Biodiversity Strategy and Nature Restoration Law. Key trade-offs include nature conservation versus economic use of reneawble resources, short- versus long-term goals, and different ecosystem and social economic priorities. Approaches such as strictly protected areas, close-to-nature forestry, and rewilding offer integrated, science-based solutions.
In response to growing environmental concerns in the late 20th century, several international initiatives and legal frameworks, such as the Birds and Habitats Directives, led to the creation of the Natura 2000 network—Europe’s cornerstone for biodiversity conservation. Within this framework, ECO has managed a Natura 2000 site near Lake Wörthersee in the city of Klagenfurt for over ten years.
Effective protected areas management (1 hours) - UNITUS): F. Cerini
Protected areas (PAs) are fundamental to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem functions, but their conservation outcomes are just as good as their management processes. In this lecture, students will learn about PAs typologies and management actions, and how their effectiveness in preserving natural systems is measured. Additionally, students will gain new possible perspectives on what conservationists should aim to conserve.
Modalità Esame
To help students become familiar with the format, question styles, and overall structure of the exam, a practice exam (Mock) is available on Moodle. This is intended to boost confidence and minimize test-taking anxiety.
The in-person BestNature final exam, which covers all course topics available on Moodle, is a 45-minute written test worth a total of 45 points. The questions are in a variety of formats, including multiple-choice, "pick the right term," and word-matching.
Testi adottati
The course is available in asynchronous mode on the Moodle platform of the University of Tuscia, where recorded lessons with various teaching methods and in-depth materials are available.
Modalità di frequenza
The course is available asynchronously on the University of Tuscia's Moodle platform.
121098 - MODULO B ( APPLICATION) THEORY AND APPLICATION IN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION - ADVANCED ( FOR MASTER DEGREE STUDENTS)
GIANLUCA PIOVESAN
Primo Anno / Secondo Semestre
3
BIO/07
Obiettivi formativi
Building directly on the theoretical foundations of Module A, Module B offers an intensive, applied learning experience focused on biodiversity monitoring and conservation. Students will immerse themselves in a real-world case study: a designated protected area. Under the direct guidance of both university professors and experienced park managers, participants will gain hands-on knowledge and practical skills essential for effectively monitoring and managing a protected natural environment.
1. Knowledge and Understanding
Students will have a comprehensive and critical understanding of:
Biodiversity conservation and restoration principles, including current challenges and the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy.
Conservation ecology and biology, encompassing key theories and practices.
Sustainable natural resources management, with a focus on ecological integrity and long-term viability.
Innovative methods in biodiversity monitoring, including biomonitoring and remote sensing techniques.
Effective governance of protected areas, including understanding the complexities of transnational management and policy gaps.
2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding
Students will be able to:
Apply scientific knowledge to address practical challenges in nature protection and ecosystem restoration.
Utilize innovative and transdisciplinary methods for biodiversity monitoring and protected area management.
Critically analyze and interpret data from biomonitoring and remote sensing for conservation purposes.
Develop and implement strategies for effective management of protected areas at various scales.
Translate scientific excellence into practical solutions for biodiversity challenges.
3. Making Judgements
Students will be able to:
Formulate and critically evaluate appropriate solutions to complex problems in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration, considering scientific, ethical, and societal implications.
Assess the effectiveness of different approaches to protected area management and sustainable natural resources management.
Make informed decisions regarding the application of innovative methods and technologies in biodiversity monitoring.
Demonstrate awareness of the gaps in current knowledge and contribute to filling them through critical analysis and synthesis.
4. Communication
Graduates will be able to:
Communicate effectively about complex issues in biodiversity conservation and restoration to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Engage in international cooperation and articulate their findings and ideas in a transnational context.
Participate in professional and academic discussions, defending their judgments and contributing to collaborative problem-solving.
(Only For PhD students acting as peer educators): Effectively convey complex scientific concepts and practical methodologies to students at different academic levels (MSc and Bachelor's).
5. Learning Skills
Graduates will have the learning skills to:
Undertake self-directed and autonomous learning in the field of biodiversity conservation and restoration, staying updated with new scientific developments and innovative methodologies.
Engage in continuous professional development and adapt to evolving challenges in nature protection and ecosystem management.
Critically reflect on their own learning process and identify areas for further development.
Utilize e-learning platforms and other digital tools for effective knowledge acquisition and sharing.
Module B includes a field week session in a National Park. The BESTNATURE Field Weeks (BFWs) are designed to provide students with hands-on experience in applying field monitoring techniques and effective protected area management, with the goal of developing practical, cross-curricular, and interdisciplinary knowledge.
The module teaches students how to collect and analyze ecological data using major biodiversity and tree-ring analysis software packages. The main topics of Module B are:
Environmental and remote sensing techniques in biodiversity monitoring and assessment.
Sampling design & monitoring: mapping biodiversity and ecosystem function (e.g., flora, fauna, habitats, dendroecology, and paleoecology).
Late afternoon Lab: Statistical analysis of collected biodiversity data using software packages (primarily R-based packages).
Biodiversity reporting for the assessment of protected area management effectiveness (e.g., how to write a policy brief).
In the final part of the course, students will learn to develop a web platform for visualizing biodiversity monitoring data from a specific protected area. They will collaborate with local stakeholders and organizations involved in biodiversity monitoring. Undergraduate and graduate students will interact with doctoral students who will serve as peer mentors, in collaboration with researchers and professors.
Modalità Esame
Final Report Guidelines
The final report is a prerequisite for earning 3 ECTS credits (Module B). The report should focus on the monitoring activities students participated in during the BESTNATURE Field Weeks (BFWs). These BFWs involved a variety of monitoring activities, which were subsequently analyzed and discussed in an online webinar.
Each student must select at least two monitoring activities and integrate them into their report, emphasizing their importance for biodiversity conservation. Reports should specifically focus on the Protected Areas visited during the BFWs. The evaluation will assess the depth of analysis presented and the student's ability to effectively present and discuss their chosen monitoring activities. Students may incorporate data analysis into their reports for some activities.
Report Structure:
Introduction: The BESTNATURE project
Study Region: Area of study, Environment, ecology, biodiversity
The Excursion: Summary of the activities, Topic selection
Topic 1: Method, results, interpretation
Topic 2: Method, results, interpretation
Personal Conclusions: Reflections on the topics and the excursion, personal learning outcomes, and reflections on the overall experience
References
Formalities:
The report should be 10-15 pages long, including figures.
Raw tables and data can be included in an appendix.
If the report focuses on data analysis, 10 pages are sufficient.
If the report is more descriptive, it should be up to 15 pages.
Testi adottati
Before the BFW, the Partners worked together on the Handbook “Guidelines for Biodiversity Monitoring in Protected Areas—methods and devices for monitoring terrestrial and freshwater habitats in forest ecosystems.” This manual aims to provide students with theoretical knowledge about the most innovative monitoring methods planned for the BFW.
Modalità di frequenza
Obbligatoria
119968 - APPLIED BIOORGANIC
BRUNO MATTIA BIZZARRI
Primo Anno / Secondo Semestre
6
CHIM/06
Obiettivi formativi
Knowledge and understanding - The principles of organic reactivity that underlie the functioning of biological systems and the development of biomimetic systems.
Applying knowledge and understanding - Mastery of basic knowledge relating to organic chemistry, correlating them to the main reactive pathways and the different types of supramolecular interactions underlying the reactions that occur in living systems.
Making judgments - Ability to recognize the main classes of biological and biomimetic reactions and the main chemical interactions (bonding and non-binding) that regulate them;
Communication skills - On the topic of the course.
Learning skills - Students will have to be able to apply the acquired knowledge in an appropriate, relevant and flexible way in order to elaborate, adopting appropriate chemical symbols, the biosynthetic and biomimetic reactions studied in depth in the course. In the laboratory part, students will apply theoretical knowledge to simple reactions of biological interest by appropriately processing the data obtained experimentally with the aim of studying the reaction trend, developing methods of quantification and purification of compounds of biological origin, determining the course regio and stereochemical of enzymatic reactions and perform reactions of biochemical relevance with biomimetic synthesis catalysts.
119969 - PLANT BIOLOGY AND RESTORING OF COASTAL MARINE ECOSYSTEMS
LAURA ZUCCONI GALLI FONSECA
Primo Anno / Secondo Semestre
6
BIO/03
Obiettivi formativi
Educational objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with comprehensive knowledge and understanding of plant diversity, adaptation strategies to the environment, coastal plant communities, and beach dynamics. This knowledge is crucial for understanding the conservation status of these fragile and threatened ecosystems, monitoring them, and identifying the most appropriate strategies for their protection and restoration.
The course aims to provide a foundation for a deeper comprehension and study of the plant components of coastal ecosystems.
Knowledge and understanding - Develop knowledge and understanding of the diversity of plant organisms and coastal communities, highlighting their adaptation to the unique conditions of coastal environments.
Applying knowledge and understanding - Apply the knowledge acquired at lesson to interpret potential changes in communities composition and functionality due to variations in environmental parameters.
Making judgments - Formulate hypotheses independently in response to potential issues, and efficiently share and support these hypotheses within the scientific community and with stakeholders.
Communication skills -Students will be encouraged to acquire and use scientifically accurate terminology related to the topics covered, also by the preparation of self-developed material.
Learning skills - Stimulate curiosity and deepen knowledge of the plant world through engaging field activities.
Flora, Raunkiær plant life-forms, chorotypes.
Landscape ecology. Fire consequences on vegetation.
The shape of the coasts and their classification
Factors acting on the shores: waves, tides, winds
Sea level changes
Adaptations of plants to salinity, aridity and wind
Rocky shores, cliffs
Colonization of rocks, soil formation, ecological succession
Vegetation of rocky coasts
Mediterranean maquis and climax vegetation
The beaches: formation, classification, turnover and morphology
Human impact on the beaches
Marine phanerogams.
Dune: definition, formation, zoning
Psammophilous vegetation, adaptations and succession of dunes
Degradation of the dune system
Plant communities
Coastal environments at risk: lagoons, coastal lakes and brackish ponds and their vegetation
The mangroves
Fire and pyrophytism
Biodiversity conservation, red lists and germplasm bank
Coastal lakes
Coastal forests
Botanic excursion
Modalità Esame
The exam consists of an oral test on the topics covered in the lectures, with the possibility for the student to propose a topic for in-depth study. This topic may be presented using a PowerPoint presentation, which can serve as a starting point for broader discussion and connections with other subjects included in the course syllabus.
The vote is expressed in thirtyths, with honors possible. Passing the exam requires a mark of at least eighteen/thirtieths and the attribution of the necessary university training credits.
The following factors will be considered when evaluating the tests and assigning the final grade: the level of knowledge of the contents demonstrated (superficial, appropriate, precise and complete, complete and thorough), the ability to apply the theoretical concepts (errors in applying the, fair, good, well established), the capacity for analysis, synthesis, and interdisciplinary connections (sufficient, good, excellent), the capacity for critical sense and the formulation of judgments (sufficient, good, excellent), the mastery of expression (exposition deficient, simple, clear and correct, safe and correct).
Testi adottati
PowerPoint presentations provided by the professor
Articles provided during the course
Selected book chapters and suggested online resources
Quaderni Habitat – Ministero dell’Ambiente (available online)
Modalità di svolgimento
Oral lessons, pdf presentations, field practices
Modalità di frequenza
Attendance to lessons is not required, but strongly recommended
Bibliografia
PowerPoint presentations provided by the professor
Articles provided during the course
Selected book chapters and suggested online resources
Quaderni Habitat – Ministero dell’Ambiente (available online)
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