Palaeoecology
A.Y. 2023/2024
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 can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
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
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday 14.30
Department of Earth Sciences "Ardito Desio" or by email.