Plant Ecology
A.Y. 2018/2019
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide specific knowledge about plant ecology at species and community level, with particular reference to the responses of plants to environmental factors and to plant life strategies. Knowledge about phytosociology and its application to habitat management will be also provided.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge of the main plant strategies and functional types. Interpretation of vegetation cover as a function of environmental and human factors. Vegetation sampling and analysis.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
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
Plant ecology and its role within Plant Science; different approaches to the study of the ecology of plants. Factors conditioning plant growth.
Climate: element and parameters; climatic regimes. Climatic indices and phytoclimatic classifications. Climate and vegetation structure: life forms and life form spectrum.
Soil: soil evolution processes: humus; soil and vegetation evolution. Plant-soil relationships, nutrient needs of plants. Short accounts of soil classifications.
Perturbations: fire, biotic disturbance, mechanical disturbance; responses at individual and community level.
Vegetation dynamics: primary and secondary successions; the climax concept.
Ecological profile of plant species (Ellenberg's and Landolt's indices) and ecological spectrum.
Adaptive strategies and functional types: different models of classification of plant strategies. 2- and 3-strategies models. Grime's CSR model: theory and application. Stress and disturbance. Leaf economic spectrum. Phenotypic plasticity.
Interactions: pollination and symbiosis ecology.
Relevant topics in plant ecology: alien species invasion, climate change, flora and vegetation conservation
Basic concepts of phytosociology and syntaxonomy and their applications to habitat management following European Directives.
Climate: element and parameters; climatic regimes. Climatic indices and phytoclimatic classifications. Climate and vegetation structure: life forms and life form spectrum.
Soil: soil evolution processes: humus; soil and vegetation evolution. Plant-soil relationships, nutrient needs of plants. Short accounts of soil classifications.
Perturbations: fire, biotic disturbance, mechanical disturbance; responses at individual and community level.
Vegetation dynamics: primary and secondary successions; the climax concept.
Ecological profile of plant species (Ellenberg's and Landolt's indices) and ecological spectrum.
Adaptive strategies and functional types: different models of classification of plant strategies. 2- and 3-strategies models. Grime's CSR model: theory and application. Stress and disturbance. Leaf economic spectrum. Phenotypic plasticity.
Interactions: pollination and symbiosis ecology.
Relevant topics in plant ecology: alien species invasion, climate change, flora and vegetation conservation
Basic concepts of phytosociology and syntaxonomy and their applications to habitat management following European Directives.
BIO/03 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND APPLIED BOTANY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Caccianiga Marco Stefano
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday-Friday on appointment
2 floor building C Department of Biosciences