Biogeography
A.Y. 2025/2026
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
Introduction: aims and methods of Biogeography; relationships to other sciences, the history of Biogeography.
Distribution: the concept of species, speciation and extinction. Corology, maps and tools for distribution studies. Population distribution. Barriers, dispersal, competition. Endemism, provincialism and disjunction. Vicariance Biogeography.
Historical and climatic factors: clime and terrestrial system; Paleobiogeography; climatic, physical and ecological factors, ecology and community dynamics, biodiversity and gradients.
Biomes and ecosystems
Zoogeographic regions: mammal biogeography; oloartic, neotropycal, paleotropycal and australopacific reigns.
Insular biogeography: The Equilibrium Theory of Island Biogeography, species turnover; archipelagos and species richness, peculiarity of insular flora and fauna
Marine biogeography
Italian zoogeography: faunistic provinces, Italian mammals Italian amphibians, Italian "red list"
Applications of Biogeography: conservation, Climate change; Plant Domestication and Agriculture
Distribution: the concept of species, speciation and extinction. Corology, maps and tools for distribution studies. Population distribution. Barriers, dispersal, competition. Endemism, provincialism and disjunction. Vicariance Biogeography.
Historical and climatic factors: clime and terrestrial system; Paleobiogeography; climatic, physical and ecological factors, ecology and community dynamics, biodiversity and gradients.
Biomes and ecosystems
Zoogeographic regions: mammal biogeography; oloartic, neotropycal, paleotropycal and australopacific reigns.
Insular biogeography: The Equilibrium Theory of Island Biogeography, species turnover; archipelagos and species richness, peculiarity of insular flora and fauna
Marine biogeography
Italian zoogeography: faunistic provinces, Italian mammals Italian amphibians, Italian "red list"
Applications of Biogeography: conservation, Climate change; Plant Domestication and Agriculture
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of animal and plant systematics.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons with Power point presentations
Teaching Resources
Barry Cox, Peter Moore "biogeography and ecological and evolutionary approch" Blackwell Scientific Pubblication
PDf of lesson presentations on Ariel
Scientific article on Ariel
PDf of lesson presentations on Ariel
Scientific article on Ariel
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination consists of a written and an oral part.
The written exam consists of an original study, a research type, review or meta-analysis, with a biogeographical theme of your choice where you present the geography of a lineage (species, genus, family) or the biology of a region (biodiversity gradients, endemism, chorological groups, ecosystems). The paper must be 3'000 words (plus or minus 150) and is due, anonymously, 10 days before the oral (every day late it's -10%).
The oral exam consistes in an interview about the contents of the frontal lessons.
Evaluation is based on: theory, relevance, structure, correctness, reflection and interpretation, originality.
Grading system:
Ability to reflect, realistic self-evaluation, ability to formulate and apply theory to problem situations, clear mastery of course content = 28-30
Can apply theory to practice, provide an interconnected understanding of the course and its components, provide good solutions to problems = 25-27
Can explain major theories, can describe other topics acceptably = 21-24
Can explain only a few theories/contents and provide superficial solutions = 18-20
The written exam consists of an original study, a research type, review or meta-analysis, with a biogeographical theme of your choice where you present the geography of a lineage (species, genus, family) or the biology of a region (biodiversity gradients, endemism, chorological groups, ecosystems). The paper must be 3'000 words (plus or minus 150) and is due, anonymously, 10 days before the oral (every day late it's -10%).
The oral exam consistes in an interview about the contents of the frontal lessons.
Evaluation is based on: theory, relevance, structure, correctness, reflection and interpretation, originality.
Grading system:
Ability to reflect, realistic self-evaluation, ability to formulate and apply theory to problem situations, clear mastery of course content = 28-30
Can apply theory to practice, provide an interconnected understanding of the course and its components, provide good solutions to problems = 25-27
Can explain major theories, can describe other topics acceptably = 21-24
Can explain only a few theories/contents and provide superficial solutions = 18-20
BIO/02 - SYSTEMATIC BOTANY - University credits: 1
BIO/03 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND APPLIED BOTANY - University credits: 2
BIO/05 - ZOOLOGY - University credits: 3
BIO/03 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND APPLIED BOTANY - University credits: 2
BIO/05 - ZOOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Losapio Gianalberto, Pennati Roberta
Professor(s)