Freshwater Biology
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The aims of the course of Fresh water ecology are: a) to provide basic knowledge in physics, chemistry and biology of inland waters (rivers, lakes, wetlands); b) to illustrate the principles of monitoring and surveillance within the Water European Framework 2000/60/CE.
Expected learning outcomes
Identification of freshwater organisms, simple chemical analysis of freshwaters, calculation of biotic indices.
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
The course of Biology of Inland Waters of the academic year 2020/2021 will be realized in the on line modality by the Microsoft Teams platform
Course syllabus
The course aims to provide the knowledge to specialize in the field of hydrobiology with a more general part concerning the basic concepts and a second more specialized one on the parameters to define the quality of inland waters.
PRINCIPLES FUNDAMENTAL OF STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF INLAND WATER ECOSYSTEMS WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO AQUATIC COMMUNITIES: this part of the course aims to introduce the principles fundamental for aquatic ecology, developing the critical evaluation of the information acquired. The characteristics of the lotic and lentic environments will be taken into consideration and in particular:
· Origin of lakes, thermal properties, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, carbonates-bicarbonates and populations
· Lotic ecosystem, characteristics and populations
· Wetland
· Biodiversity and alien species
METHODS FOR MONITORING THE QUALITY OF INTERNAL WATERS: the course will focus on the methods provided by Italian legislation which is based on the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) No. 60 of 2000.
In Italy, the water framework directive was implemented by Ministerial Decree 260/2010: Technical criteria for the classification of the status of surface water bodies Amendment of D. leg. N ° 152 of 2006.
Based on these regulations, lakes and rivers are periodically monitored by the Regional Agencies for Environmental Protection (ARPA) according to three types of indicators:
· Biological indicators (Diatoms, aquatic macrophytes, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish)
· Hydro-morphological indicators to support biological indicators
· Chemical-physical indicators to support biological indicators
The course aims to provide the basic knowledge to interpret the results of water monitoring and specific skills to be able to specialize in this field. During the course we will analyze all the indicators mentioned, describing the sampling methods, the data collection and the biological meaning of the various parameters.
PRINCIPLES FUNDAMENTAL OF STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF INLAND WATER ECOSYSTEMS WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO AQUATIC COMMUNITIES: this part of the course aims to introduce the principles fundamental for aquatic ecology, developing the critical evaluation of the information acquired. The characteristics of the lotic and lentic environments will be taken into consideration and in particular:
· Origin of lakes, thermal properties, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, carbonates-bicarbonates and populations
· Lotic ecosystem, characteristics and populations
· Wetland
· Biodiversity and alien species
METHODS FOR MONITORING THE QUALITY OF INTERNAL WATERS: the course will focus on the methods provided by Italian legislation which is based on the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) No. 60 of 2000.
In Italy, the water framework directive was implemented by Ministerial Decree 260/2010: Technical criteria for the classification of the status of surface water bodies Amendment of D. leg. N ° 152 of 2006.
Based on these regulations, lakes and rivers are periodically monitored by the Regional Agencies for Environmental Protection (ARPA) according to three types of indicators:
· Biological indicators (Diatoms, aquatic macrophytes, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish)
· Hydro-morphological indicators to support biological indicators
· Chemical-physical indicators to support biological indicators
The course aims to provide the basic knowledge to interpret the results of water monitoring and specific skills to be able to specialize in this field. During the course we will analyze all the indicators mentioned, describing the sampling methods, the data collection and the biological meaning of the various parameters.
Prerequisites for admission
Ecological, zoological and botanical conpetences are required for the course
Teaching methods
The course includes lectures in the classroom and lessons in the field (several days out) in which the work of experts working on behalf of Regional Agencies will be followed.
Teaching Resources
· Manuali ISPRA sul monitoraggio acque interne
· G. Forneris. Lezioni di Idrobiologia (on line)
· V. Tonolli. Introduzione allo studio della limnologia (on line)
· On line documents in the UNIMI-ARIEL website
· G. Forneris. Lezioni di Idrobiologia (on line)
· V. Tonolli. Introduzione allo studio della limnologia (on line)
· On line documents in the UNIMI-ARIEL website
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exame consists in an oral discussion in which the candidate will expone one or more methodologies for water quality monitoring according to the UE Directive 60/2000.
BIO/05 - ZOOLOGY - University credits: 6
Practicals with elements of theory: 48 hours
Lessons: 16 hours
Lessons: 16 hours
Professors:
Ancona Nicoletta, Balestrieri Giuseppe Alessandro, Tremolada Paolo Carlo Maria
Professor(s)