Lecturer: Agnese Marchini   Renato Sconfietti  

Course name: Applied Ecology
Course code: 502250
Degree course: Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale
Disciplinary field of science: BIO/07
University credits: ECTS 6
Course website: n.d.

Specific course objectives

The main objective of the course is to identify the essential components of natural ecosystems and their dynamics; to acknowledge and evaluate the level of human-induced alteration on ecosystems; understand the most effective management tools for the preservation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems and for mitigating impacts.

Course programme

The first part of the course deals with basic elements of Ecology. The Applied Ecology part mainly deals with case-studies of freshwater ecology, with reference to national and international legislation. The course is integrated by training session, both with simulated cases in the classroom and with real cases in the field.

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Part I - Basic definitions. Environmental factors; biogeochemical cycles; species and population; community, ecosystem. Biodiversity. Part II - Main causes of alteration and pollution of the three main environmental compartments: air, water, soil. In-depth analysis of freshwater ecosystems: River Continuum Concept; self-depuration, europhication, anthropogenic impacts, pollution. Phytodepuration. Part III - Bioindicators and their applications. Minimum Vital Flow (MVF) in water courses. Part IV - Elements of naturalistic engineering. Restoration of natural and artifical aquatic ecosystems. Study cases.

Course entry requirements

There are no specific pre-requirements for this course. However, it is recommended to read the chapters of Ecology in Secondary School Science textbooks.

Course structure and teaching

Lectures (hours/year in lecture theatre): 45
Practical class (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0
Practicals / Workshops (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0

Suggested reading materials

Testing and exams

The exam is oral. Study cases will be proposed and students will be asked to design solutions or apply appropriate ecological indicators. Students that have attended at least 70% of the course and present themselves at the first exam session after the course, will be allowed to select their own first topic of the exam (among parts I and II of the program).