Fundamental of Ecology and Forestry
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
To improve the skills of future managers of terrestrial productive ecosystems provided by the degree, the objective of the course Fundamentals of Ecology and Forestry is to provide students with knowledge and management capacity on the structure and functioning of ecological systems, with particular reference to forest systems, on the effects of anthropogenic pressure (including climate change), on the conservation of forest biodiversity, and on strategies to ensure an efficient, planned and sustainable use of forest resources and their ecosystem services.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of this course the student will understand: the ecological interactions between the different forms of life and the environment, and their evolutionary dynamics; the role of energy in the structure and functioning of ecosystems; the main biogeochemical cycles; the factors that determine the rates and trends of population growth; the fundamental concepts relating to biodiversity and its measurement; the causes and effects of climate and global change; the dynamics of natural and managed forest systems; the main forest species that characterize Lombardy forests; the main forest management schedules. He will also be able to analyze a forest site, highlighting the ecological processes and forecasting its future dynamics; recognize the main forest types of Lombardy; define silvicultural interventions to maximize ecosystem services; read and interpret forest management plans. Moreover, students will be able to explore scientific literature in the applied forest ecology field and to communicate by using correct scientific terms.
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
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of biology and mathematics.
Working knowledge of English (B1).
Working knowledge of English (B1).
Assessment methods and Criteria
Module 1 - foundations of ecology: students' learning will be tested through a mixed-question written test on the main course contents (30 points max). The consultation of material is not allowed. Students will be assessed on: critical reasoning skills on complex issues, competence in the use of specialized vocabulary, ability to apply the scientific approach to the theoretical question, ability to synthesize and internal consistency. The results will be communicated verbally shortly after the written test and / or via individual email to the candidate in 1-2 days.
Module 2 - Forest management: Students will be assessed through an oral exam including questions on the course topics (max 12 points), a question on one forest species among 20 presented by the students in a herbarium (max 6 points), a short discussion of a forest management project prepared by the student, to be handed in before the exam (max 6 points), and three in-course exercises max 2 points each).
The modules can be taken independently of each other; the final grade is the arithmetic mean of the marks of the two modules.
The evaluation criteria for the training exercises and the written projects will be published on the MS Teams pages of the two modules. The evaluation criteria of the oral tests include: ability to present the knowledge acquired; ability to organize information; ability to describe and critically analyze forest systems; correct use of the scientific vocabulary.
Module 2 - Forest management: Students will be assessed through an oral exam including questions on the course topics (max 12 points), a question on one forest species among 20 presented by the students in a herbarium (max 6 points), a short discussion of a forest management project prepared by the student, to be handed in before the exam (max 6 points), and three in-course exercises max 2 points each).
The modules can be taken independently of each other; the final grade is the arithmetic mean of the marks of the two modules.
The evaluation criteria for the training exercises and the written projects will be published on the MS Teams pages of the two modules. The evaluation criteria of the oral tests include: ability to present the knowledge acquired; ability to organize information; ability to describe and critically analyze forest systems; correct use of the scientific vocabulary.
Fundamentals of ecology
Course syllabus
1 CFU (1 UC/ECTS)
Ecology and its applications. Scale concept and hierarchical levels. Physical environment and biosphere. Ecological models. Evolutionary / behavioural ecology. Population ecology: distribution, growth trends and dynamics. Community ecology: interactions among organisms, diversity and biogeography.
1 CFU (1 UC/ECTS)
Ecosystems: production, energy fluxes, food webs, nutrients' availability and dynamics. Decomposition and nutrients' cycle: carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, phosphorous cycle, water cycle. Applied ecology, including on large scale: biodiversity conservation and environmental protection, landscape ecology and global ecology.
1 CFU (1 UC/ECTS)
Deepened aspects: forest communities and spatial development. Anthropocene, ecological footprint and global limits (tipping points and Planetary Boundaries). Biodiversity and ecosystem services. Forests and global transformative pathways: mitigation and adaptation.
1 CFU (1 UC/ECTS)
Practice; case study analysis.
Ecology and its applications. Scale concept and hierarchical levels. Physical environment and biosphere. Ecological models. Evolutionary / behavioural ecology. Population ecology: distribution, growth trends and dynamics. Community ecology: interactions among organisms, diversity and biogeography.
1 CFU (1 UC/ECTS)
Ecosystems: production, energy fluxes, food webs, nutrients' availability and dynamics. Decomposition and nutrients' cycle: carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, phosphorous cycle, water cycle. Applied ecology, including on large scale: biodiversity conservation and environmental protection, landscape ecology and global ecology.
1 CFU (1 UC/ECTS)
Deepened aspects: forest communities and spatial development. Anthropocene, ecological footprint and global limits (tipping points and Planetary Boundaries). Biodiversity and ecosystem services. Forests and global transformative pathways: mitigation and adaptation.
1 CFU (1 UC/ECTS)
Practice; case study analysis.
Teaching methods
24 hours: in-presence lectures. 16 hours: labs and practice.
The lecturer will implement: (i) in-presence lecture sessions to stimulate the discussion with the students on the topics treated; (ii) field lessons to further develop the students' practical capacity; (iii) teaching labs to consolidate the learning; (iv) tests to verify the learning progresses.
Attendance is encouraged.
The lecturer will implement: (i) in-presence lecture sessions to stimulate the discussion with the students on the topics treated; (ii) field lessons to further develop the students' practical capacity; (iii) teaching labs to consolidate the learning; (iv) tests to verify the learning progresses.
Attendance is encouraged.
Teaching Resources
For personal study of in-course topics:
Cain, Bowman & Hacker (2017, versione italiana) Ecologia Piccin editore
Paci (2011) Ecologia forestale (3° edizione) Edagricole
Additional learning material will be provided by the lecturer.
Cain, Bowman & Hacker (2017, versione italiana) Ecologia Piccin editore
Paci (2011) Ecologia forestale (3° edizione) Edagricole
Additional learning material will be provided by the lecturer.
Silviculture
Course syllabus
1 CFU
Introduction to the course. Definition of forest. Forests in the world, in Italy and Lombardy. Ecosystem services and sustainable forest management.
The tree and its organs. Forest population and community ecology.
Forest ecosystems: climate, growth factors, energy flows, biogeochemical cycles. Ecology of disturbances. Regeneration strategies. Forest restoration.
1 CFU
Describing forest stands. Elements of tree and forest measurement.
Management of coppices. Management of even-aged forests. Thinning. Management of uneven-aged forests.
1 CFU
Silviculture and climate change. Carbon sequestration in forestry. Forestry and adaptation to climate change.
Forest type classifications. Managment of the main forest types of Lombardy.
1 CFU
Forestry in direct protection forests. Preventive silviculture for forest fires.
Forestry and biodiversity. Forestry in protected areas and Natura 2000 sites. Urban forestry.
Introduction to the course. Definition of forest. Forests in the world, in Italy and Lombardy. Ecosystem services and sustainable forest management.
The tree and its organs. Forest population and community ecology.
Forest ecosystems: climate, growth factors, energy flows, biogeochemical cycles. Ecology of disturbances. Regeneration strategies. Forest restoration.
1 CFU
Describing forest stands. Elements of tree and forest measurement.
Management of coppices. Management of even-aged forests. Thinning. Management of uneven-aged forests.
1 CFU
Silviculture and climate change. Carbon sequestration in forestry. Forestry and adaptation to climate change.
Forest type classifications. Managment of the main forest types of Lombardy.
1 CFU
Forestry in direct protection forests. Preventive silviculture for forest fires.
Forestry and biodiversity. Forestry in protected areas and Natura 2000 sites. Urban forestry.
Teaching methods
24 hours: frontal lessons. 16 hours: field trips and classroom exercise.
Lecturer will use:
a) lectures, with the aim to provide students with the theoretical concepts ;
b) field and in-class activities to carry out field observations that can help students with professional practice;
c) quiz and excercises, with the aim to verify the acquired knowledge.
Attendance is strongly recommended.
For the field trips, students travel with their own means to the meeting place. Students are allowed to participate in field activities only if they have:
- Mountain boots with vibram soles
- Water (minimum 1 l per person) and snacks
- First aid kit
- Clothing for rain and cold temperatures
- Notepad and pencil
Inclusiveness. The teacher is committed to providing an inclusive educational environment, providing listening and prompt action following any report or request for support, and adopting the compensatory tools provided for by the University guidelines for students with Specific Learning Disorders. Students wishing to make use of compensatory tools must report it to the teacher via e-mail within the first week of the course, and / or within 15 days of the exam.
Integrity. The teacher commits to evaluate the achievement of the objectives stated by this syllabus and the knowledge acquired on the program specified here with objectivity and transparency. Students are committed to the utmost integrity during the assessment test.
Responsibility. Attendance to the course is not compulsory, but strongly recommended. Lessons and field trips will start no later than 15 minutes after the scheduled time. The teacher and the students are committed to punctuality, respect for each other's work, and to collaborate proactively during teaching activities. The teacher will promptly report any schedule or program changes using the online course bulletin board. Students commit to consult the course website frequently and to make informed use of the study material. Reading the recommended textbook passages before each lesson will help you learn more effectively in the classroom.
Lecturer will use:
a) lectures, with the aim to provide students with the theoretical concepts ;
b) field and in-class activities to carry out field observations that can help students with professional practice;
c) quiz and excercises, with the aim to verify the acquired knowledge.
Attendance is strongly recommended.
For the field trips, students travel with their own means to the meeting place. Students are allowed to participate in field activities only if they have:
- Mountain boots with vibram soles
- Water (minimum 1 l per person) and snacks
- First aid kit
- Clothing for rain and cold temperatures
- Notepad and pencil
Inclusiveness. The teacher is committed to providing an inclusive educational environment, providing listening and prompt action following any report or request for support, and adopting the compensatory tools provided for by the University guidelines for students with Specific Learning Disorders. Students wishing to make use of compensatory tools must report it to the teacher via e-mail within the first week of the course, and / or within 15 days of the exam.
Integrity. The teacher commits to evaluate the achievement of the objectives stated by this syllabus and the knowledge acquired on the program specified here with objectivity and transparency. Students are committed to the utmost integrity during the assessment test.
Responsibility. Attendance to the course is not compulsory, but strongly recommended. Lessons and field trips will start no later than 15 minutes after the scheduled time. The teacher and the students are committed to punctuality, respect for each other's work, and to collaborate proactively during teaching activities. The teacher will promptly report any schedule or program changes using the online course bulletin board. Students commit to consult the course website frequently and to make informed use of the study material. Reading the recommended textbook passages before each lesson will help you learn more effectively in the classroom.
Teaching Resources
Slides and course notes; study material provided by lecturer on MS Teams: https://bit.ly/3r4gTN5
Recommended texts for personal study of course topics:
P. Piussi, G. Alberti (2015). "Selvicoltura generale. Boschi, società e tecniche colturali". Compagnia delle Foreste, Arezzo.
To support the identification of forest species and cover types:
R. Del Favero (2002). "I tipi forestali della Lombardia". Cierre Edizioni Regione Lombardia, Milano.
IPLA (2004). "Alberi e arbusti. Guida alle specie spontanee del Piemonte". Blu Edizioni, Peveragno (free PDF available on the web)
Recommended texts for personal study of course topics:
P. Piussi, G. Alberti (2015). "Selvicoltura generale. Boschi, società e tecniche colturali". Compagnia delle Foreste, Arezzo.
To support the identification of forest species and cover types:
R. Del Favero (2002). "I tipi forestali della Lombardia". Cierre Edizioni Regione Lombardia, Milano.
IPLA (2004). "Alberi e arbusti. Guida alle specie spontanee del Piemonte". Blu Edizioni, Peveragno (free PDF available on the web)
Fundamentals of ecology
BIO/07 - ECOLOGY - University credits: 4
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Professor:
Vizzarri Matteo
Silviculture
AGR/05 - FOREST MANAGEMENT AND SILVICULTURE - University credits: 4
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Professor:
Vacchiano Giorgio
Professor(s)
Reception:
by appointment
DiSAA building 21050, first floor