Ecology and Behavioural Ecology
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course is organized in two modules: that of ethology (I semester) which is focused on understanding the functions and evolution of animal behaviour and that of ecology (II semester) which concerns the basic principles useful for the description and understanding of natural and anthropogenic ecosystems
The main objective of the ethology module is to provide students with knowledge regarding the adaptive function of animal behaviour from an ecological and evolutionary perspective, and scientific methods aimed at designing and carrying out behavioural studies.
The ecology module is aimed at acquiring the basic tools for detecting and interpreting ecosystems in their abiotic and biotic components. These tools should provide the student with the interpretative keys to understand the problems due to anthropogenic interference and therefore the tools to hypothesize possible solutions.
The main objective of the ethology module is to provide students with knowledge regarding the adaptive function of animal behaviour from an ecological and evolutionary perspective, and scientific methods aimed at designing and carrying out behavioural studies.
The ecology module is aimed at acquiring the basic tools for detecting and interpreting ecosystems in their abiotic and biotic components. These tools should provide the student with the interpretative keys to understand the problems due to anthropogenic interference and therefore the tools to hypothesize possible solutions.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the ecology part it is expected that students have learned how ecosystems work in nature (energy flow and biogeochemical cycles), as well as simple tools for population monitoring and surveying chemical-physical parameters of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. At the end of the ethology part the student is expected to acquire the knowledge of the adaptive role of animal behaviours, the appropriate scientific terminology of the discipline, as well as the ability to understand and critically discuss the main topics of behavioural ecology reported in the literature.
Lesson period: year
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
year
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge in chemistry, physics, mathematics, zoology and botany.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam includes two tests, one for Ecology and the other for Ethology, both of which will be carried out in written form.
The ecology test includes several parts: autoecology of a species, description of a species and a habitat, both chosen by the student, two open questions on the program and an exercise among those carried out during the course. The evaluation criteria of the written Ecology test include an evaluation of the completeness of the contents and the clarity of the presentation. The evaluation of the written test of the Ecology Module is carried out by assigning a mark out of 30.
The written test of Ethology includes some open questions on the topics of the program and the evaluation criteria will be based on the completeness and clarity of the topics requested, as well as on the ability to use the appropriate specific vocabulary. The evaluation of the written test of the Ethology Module is carried out by assigning a mark out of 30.
The final mark of the course of Ecology and Ethology is the average of the marks obtained in the two tests weighted by the respective credits and therefore it is done by a mark out of 30.
The ecology test includes several parts: autoecology of a species, description of a species and a habitat, both chosen by the student, two open questions on the program and an exercise among those carried out during the course. The evaluation criteria of the written Ecology test include an evaluation of the completeness of the contents and the clarity of the presentation. The evaluation of the written test of the Ecology Module is carried out by assigning a mark out of 30.
The written test of Ethology includes some open questions on the topics of the program and the evaluation criteria will be based on the completeness and clarity of the topics requested, as well as on the ability to use the appropriate specific vocabulary. The evaluation of the written test of the Ethology Module is carried out by assigning a mark out of 30.
The final mark of the course of Ecology and Ethology is the average of the marks obtained in the two tests weighted by the respective credits and therefore it is done by a mark out of 30.
Ecology
Course syllabus
Introduction to ecology: the biological control of the geochemical environment, the Gaia hypothesis;
The concept of ecosystem, biotic and abiotic components, production and decomposition, general properties, examples and classification of the ecosystems;
Energy flux through the ecosystem: entropy law, productivity in the ecosystems, methods for measuring the productivity; food chain, food web and trophic levels, ecological pyramids;
Biogeochemical cycles: general description, qualitative and quantitative approaches; classification of cycles, and examples, nutrients cycling in the tropics, the recycle index and turnover time;
Limiting factors: Liebig's low of the minimum and Shelford's low and consequences, analysis of the most important limiting factors: temperature, water, biogenic salts, light, pH, wind, fire, currents etc;
Organisms and the environment: factor compensation and ecotypes, concepts of habitat, ecological niche;
Populations and the environment: static and dynamic properties, r- and K-strategy, aggregation and Allee's principle, interactions among populations.
Community: species diversity, communities in geographical gradients, ecotones and concept of edge effect
Development of the ecosystems: the strategy of ecosystem development, concept of the climax, types of climax and ecosystem developments.
The concept of ecosystem, biotic and abiotic components, production and decomposition, general properties, examples and classification of the ecosystems;
Energy flux through the ecosystem: entropy law, productivity in the ecosystems, methods for measuring the productivity; food chain, food web and trophic levels, ecological pyramids;
Biogeochemical cycles: general description, qualitative and quantitative approaches; classification of cycles, and examples, nutrients cycling in the tropics, the recycle index and turnover time;
Limiting factors: Liebig's low of the minimum and Shelford's low and consequences, analysis of the most important limiting factors: temperature, water, biogenic salts, light, pH, wind, fire, currents etc;
Organisms and the environment: factor compensation and ecotypes, concepts of habitat, ecological niche;
Populations and the environment: static and dynamic properties, r- and K-strategy, aggregation and Allee's principle, interactions among populations.
Community: species diversity, communities in geographical gradients, ecotones and concept of edge effect
Development of the ecosystems: the strategy of ecosystem development, concept of the climax, types of climax and ecosystem developments.
Teaching methods
The course is mainly carried out through classroom lessons integrated with guided exercises to be performed in computer classroom, laboratory experiences and lessons in the field.
Teaching Resources
M.L. Cain, W.D. Bowman, S. D. Hacker (2017). Ecologia. Piccin Nuova Libraria, Padova.
Behavioural ecology
Course syllabus
History of ethology
Proximate and ultimate causes of animal behaviour
Fitness and natural selection
Study of behaviour under a Darwinian perspective and methods of investigation
The study of behaviour applied animal conservation, human behaviour and evolutionary biology
Genes and behaviour
Environment and behaviour
Learning
Neural basis of behavior
Biological rhythms and hormones
Behavioural optimization and costs-benefits balance
Survival and competition: predators-prey interactions and foraging
Territoriality: resource competition and territory defence
Life in a group, altruism and sociality
Introduction on sexual selection and mating systems
Proximate and ultimate causes of animal behaviour
Fitness and natural selection
Study of behaviour under a Darwinian perspective and methods of investigation
The study of behaviour applied animal conservation, human behaviour and evolutionary biology
Genes and behaviour
Environment and behaviour
Learning
Neural basis of behavior
Biological rhythms and hormones
Behavioural optimization and costs-benefits balance
Survival and competition: predators-prey interactions and foraging
Territoriality: resource competition and territory defence
Life in a group, altruism and sociality
Introduction on sexual selection and mating systems
Teaching methods
The course will be based on interactive lectures supported by projected material. The student will be involved in actively participating in the discussion to improve their critical skills, to develop the acquired concepts and to communicate the concepts appropriately.
Teaching Resources
Rubenstein D.R., Alcock J (2020) Etologia. Un approccio evolutivo. Zanichelli
Bogliani G., Carere C., Cervo R., Grasso D.A., Luschi P. (2022). Etologia. Lo studio del comportamento animale. UTET
Bogliani G., Carere C., Cervo R., Grasso D.A., Luschi P. (2022). Etologia. Lo studio del comportamento animale. UTET
Behavioural ecology
BIO/07 - ECOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Romano Andrea
Ecology
BIO/07 - ECOLOGY - University credits: 9
Practicals with elements of theory: 12 hours
Lessons: 64 hours
Lessons: 64 hours
Professor:
Tremolada Paolo Carlo Maria
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)