Palaeoecology
A.Y. 2020/2021
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.
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.
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.
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
If in the second semester the health emergency conditions remain, the following changes will be made due to the contingent situation.
Teaching methods:
Asynchronous lessons (videolessons recorded by the professor with audio commentary) will be made available, organized to cover the topics of each week according to the established timetable.
Some of the lessons will be used as a moment of revision and deepening of what is proposed in the asynchronous lessons, and will be carried out using the Microsoft Teams platform .
All the above material, the pdf of the slides and notices relating to any update related to the evolution of the legislation imposed by Covid-19, will be timely published on the Ariel website of the course.
The program and reference material will not change.
Learning assessment procedures and criteria:
The exam will be held orally using the Microsoft Teams platform. In particular, the exam will be aimed at ascertain the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding, the ability to apply knowledge and understanding and the autonomy of judgment through the discussion of case studies discussed during the lessons, the knowlwdge of the specific terminology and the ability to present the arguments in a clear and orderly manner.
Teaching methods:
Asynchronous lessons (videolessons recorded by the professor with audio commentary) will be made available, organized to cover the topics of each week according to the established timetable.
Some of the lessons will be used as a moment of revision and deepening of what is proposed in the asynchronous lessons, and will be carried out using the Microsoft Teams platform .
All the above material, the pdf of the slides and notices relating to any update related to the evolution of the legislation imposed by Covid-19, will be timely published on the Ariel website of the course.
The program and reference material will not change.
Learning assessment procedures and criteria:
The exam will be held orally using the Microsoft Teams platform. In particular, the exam will be aimed at ascertain the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding, the ability to apply knowledge and understanding and the autonomy of judgment through the discussion of case studies discussed during the lessons, the knowlwdge of the specific terminology and the ability to present the arguments in a clear and orderly manner.
Course syllabus
PART I
Introduction to Paleoecology
Principles of ecology: concepts of biodiversity, population, communities, ecosystems, ecological niches.
The main factors that govern the distribution of recent organisms.
Paleoecology of benthic invertebrates: taxonomic uniformitarianism,
abiotic and biotic factors regulating the distribution of benthic marine organisms.
Sampling methodologies; Population dynamics; Community analysis; Biodiversity Indexes.
PART II
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.
Introduction to Paleoecology
Principles of ecology: concepts of biodiversity, population, communities, ecosystems, ecological niches.
The main factors that govern the distribution of recent organisms.
Paleoecology of benthic invertebrates: taxonomic uniformitarianism,
abiotic and biotic factors regulating the distribution of benthic marine organisms.
Sampling methodologies; Population dynamics; Community analysis; Biodiversity Indexes.
PART II
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.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of PALEONTOLOGY, SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY
Teaching methods
Type of exam: Written;
Attendance: strongly recommended;
Delivery method: Traditional.
Attendance: strongly recommended;
Delivery method: Traditional.
Teaching Resources
Slides of all lessons available on the ARIEL platform
Assessment methods and Criteria
written exam with two separate tests for each of the two modules of about one hour and half
GEO/01 - PALEONTOLOGY AND PALEOECOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Angiolini Lucia, Bottini Cinzia
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday 15.30
Department of Earth Sciences "Ardito Desio" or by email.