Biogeography
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course will provide the necessary knowledge in order to understand the present distribution of living organisms on Earth. Basic information about historical and ecological processes shaping the present biogeographic pattern will be also provided. The main biogeographic partition of the Earth are discussed Particular attention will be given to the knowledge of Italian flora and fauna and to the understanding of the causes of their distribution. Methodological issues are taken into account from the recent biogeographic literature.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will acquire:
basic knowledge of the main abiotic factors at global scale and of their role in shaping the distribution of living organisms
basic knowledge of the main past geological events and of their role in shaping the distribution of living organisms
knowledge of the concept of distribution range and ability of understanding its meaning
knowledge of the main biogeographic partitions of planet Earth and of the main distribution patterns of selected animal and plant taxa.
basic knowledge of the main abiotic factors at global scale and of their role in shaping the distribution of living organisms
basic knowledge of the main past geological events and of their role in shaping the distribution of living organisms
knowledge of the concept of distribution range and ability of understanding its meaning
knowledge of the main biogeographic partitions of planet Earth and of the main distribution patterns of selected animal and plant taxa.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Aims and methods of Biogeography; connections with other sciences; history of Biogeography
The physical factors: climate, soils, biomes, aquatic environments, oceanic circulation
Historical patterns and process: the geological time scale, Earth's tectonic history; glaciations and biogeographic dynamics of Cenozoic
Distribution: Species, speciation and extinction; population distribution, barriers, dispersion competition, endemism, provincialism and disjunction, climate relicts and vicariance
Zoogeographic and phytogeographic regions; biogeography of mammals
biogeography of Angiosperms, Gymnospers and Pteridophytes
Island biogeography: island types, theory of equilibrium, turn over; archipelagos and speciation, characteristic of insular flora and fauna; anthropic disturbance, applications of the island theory
Marine biogeography
Italian Biogeography. Chorological categories in Italy; zoological and botanical Italian provinces, Italian mammals, Italian amphibians
The physical factors: climate, soils, biomes, aquatic environments, oceanic circulation
Historical patterns and process: the geological time scale, Earth's tectonic history; glaciations and biogeographic dynamics of Cenozoic
Distribution: Species, speciation and extinction; population distribution, barriers, dispersion competition, endemism, provincialism and disjunction, climate relicts and vicariance
Zoogeographic and phytogeographic regions; biogeography of mammals
biogeography of Angiosperms, Gymnospers and Pteridophytes
Island biogeography: island types, theory of equilibrium, turn over; archipelagos and speciation, characteristic of insular flora and fauna; anthropic disturbance, applications of the island theory
Marine biogeography
Italian Biogeography. Chorological categories in Italy; zoological and botanical Italian provinces, Italian mammals, Italian amphibians
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of geography, systematic botany and zoology
Teaching methods
Classroom lessons
Teaching Resources
Course slides are available on the ariel website.
Specific texts will be provided during the course and are available on the ariel website.
Reference textbooks:
Biogeografia, M. Zunino e A Zullini Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
Biogeography, Cox and Moore, Blackwell Scientific Publications
Specific texts will be provided during the course and are available on the ariel website.
Reference textbooks:
Biogeografia, M. Zunino e A Zullini Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
Biogeography, Cox and Moore, Blackwell Scientific Publications
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment methods and criteria: oral exam consisting of a discussion about the subjects discussed during the course and/or request of discussion of graphs and figures shown during the course and available on the ariel website. Answers will be evaluated considering the understanding of the subject, clarity and correctness of language. The grades are on a scale of 30.
BIO/02 - SYSTEMATIC BOTANY
BIO/03 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND APPLIED BOTANY
BIO/05 - ZOOLOGY
BIO/03 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND APPLIED BOTANY
BIO/05 - ZOOLOGY
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Caccianiga Marco Stefano, Pennati Roberta
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday-Friday on appointment
2 floor building C Department of Biosciences