Palaeoecology

A.Y. 2018/2019
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
GEO/01
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
Knowledge and understanding Basics of ecology: biotic and abiotic factors. Interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms in the present, especially for the ocean ecosystem.
Applying knowledge and understanding: Ability to apply the skills acquired to the geological past to understand the evolution of ecosystems through time.
Expected learning outcomes
Making judgements: Distinction between data to be acquired and paleoecological reconstructions. Evaluation of ecological factors. Evaluation of simple ecological models.
Communication skills: Ability to describe and illustrate the knowledge gained during the course both with regard to current ecological factors and paleoecological proxies.
Learning skills: Ability to base the acquired biogeochemical processes and the dynamics of the ocean ecosystem in the present and in the geological past.
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Paleoecology
Introduction to Paleoecology
Principles of ecology: concepts of biodiversity, population, communities, ecosystems, ecological niches.
The main factors that govern the distribution of present organisms.
Paleoecology of benthic invertebrates: taxonomic uniformism
Abiotic and biotic factors regulating the distribution of benthic marine organisms.
Sampling methodologies; Population dynamics; Community analysis; Biodiversity Indexes.
Paleoecology of marine plankton: abiotic and biotic factors regulating the distribution of calcareous, siliceous, chitinous shell organisms.
Life strategies (r- and k- strategists). Analysis of populations and fossil associations.
Paleoecology and litogenesis: biogenic platforms and pelagic sediments.
GEO/01 - PALEONTOLOGY AND PALEOECOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday 15.30
Department of Earth Sciences "Ardito Desio" or by email.