Freshwater Biology
A.Y. 2023/2024
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 can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
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 competences are required for the course
Teaching methods
The course includes lectures in the classroom and lessons in the field 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 exam will take place orally and provides for a final evaluation, expressed out of thirty, which will take into account one question on lentic or lotic ecosystems and the presentation of one or more methodologies for defining the water quality according to Ministerial Decree 260/2010. The evaluation criteria include an evaluation of specific knowledge, scientific language and the ability to link theoretical notions to real cases.
BIO/05 - ZOOLOGY - University credits: 6
Practicals with elements of theory: 48 hours
Lessons: 16 hours
Lessons: 16 hours
Educational website(s)