Ecology
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course aims at providing students with basic knowledge of ecology such as the study of the distribution and abundance of organisms, as well as their interactions. In addition, the attention will be focused on the matter distribution and energy flux in the ecosphere. The aim is to give the students a broad and comprehensive understanding of ecological system functioning at different level of ecological organization, highlighting the interaction among ecology and geography and the effects of the anthropogenic impact. In addition, discussion will be stimulated regarding key topics such as environmental sustainability and the conservation of natural resources.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course students must have acquired the basic elements of ecology as the adaptations of the organisms to the environment, population dynamics, interaction among organisms in a community, the biodiversity concept, the flux of energy and matter distribution in the ecosystems, the anthropogenic impacts on the ecosystems and the environmental sustainability.
Those competences will be acquired by frontal teaching combined with practical activities (laboratories / field excursions) and with workgroups. The development of the communication skills, stimulated by interactive lectures and brief presentations, will also be particularly important.
Those competences will be acquired by frontal teaching combined with practical activities (laboratories / field excursions) and with workgroups. The development of the communication skills, stimulated by interactive lectures and brief presentations, will also be particularly important.
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
Ecology as a scientific discipline for the analysis and management of socio-ecological systems. Levels of ecological organization: organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, landscapes, biomes, and the biosphere. Relationships between ecological processes and territorial planning.
Organism responses to environmental factors: biotic and abiotic stresses, principles of ecophysiology, tolerance and avoidance strategies, acclimation and adaptation. Energy acquisition strategies of organisms: autotrophy and heterotrophy.
Elements of evolutionary ecology: fitness, ecological trade-offs, and life-history strategies.
Population dynamics: exponential and logistic growth, carrying capacity, density-dependent and density-independent regulation, population structure, and life tables.
Community ecology: biodiversity at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels; methods for measuring biodiversity; relationships between biodiversity, ecosystem stability, and ecosystem functioning. Food webs and ecological succession. Interspecific interactions and ecological niches. Alien and invasive species: biological invasion processes and their implications for territorial management.
Ecosystem ecology: energy flows, biogeochemical cycles, and biological productivity. Ecosystem services and their assessment. Effects of land-use changes and human-induced transformations on ecosystems, and principles of environmental sustainability.
Landscape ecology: spatial heterogeneity, landscape structure and function; patches, corridors, and matrix; ecological connectivity, habitat fragmentation, and ecological networks.
Major terrestrial and aquatic biomes. Global environmental change and its effects on ecological and territorial systems.
Syllabus is the same for attending and non-attending students.
Organism responses to environmental factors: biotic and abiotic stresses, principles of ecophysiology, tolerance and avoidance strategies, acclimation and adaptation. Energy acquisition strategies of organisms: autotrophy and heterotrophy.
Elements of evolutionary ecology: fitness, ecological trade-offs, and life-history strategies.
Population dynamics: exponential and logistic growth, carrying capacity, density-dependent and density-independent regulation, population structure, and life tables.
Community ecology: biodiversity at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels; methods for measuring biodiversity; relationships between biodiversity, ecosystem stability, and ecosystem functioning. Food webs and ecological succession. Interspecific interactions and ecological niches. Alien and invasive species: biological invasion processes and their implications for territorial management.
Ecosystem ecology: energy flows, biogeochemical cycles, and biological productivity. Ecosystem services and their assessment. Effects of land-use changes and human-induced transformations on ecosystems, and principles of environmental sustainability.
Landscape ecology: spatial heterogeneity, landscape structure and function; patches, corridors, and matrix; ecological connectivity, habitat fragmentation, and ecological networks.
Major terrestrial and aquatic biomes. Global environmental change and its effects on ecological and territorial systems.
Syllabus is the same for attending and non-attending students.
Prerequisites for admission
It is a fundamental basic course of ecology. Basic notions of physical geography are taken for granted.
Teaching methods
Frontal teaching will be combined with laboratory activities, field excursions and group works.
Teaching Resources
The reference text for the course is: Cain M.L., Bowman W.D., Hacker S.E. (2017) Ecologia. Piccin.
Suggested readings will be provided during classes.
Lecture presentations will be made available through the ARIEL website.
Suggested readings will be provided during classes.
Lecture presentations will be made available through the ARIEL website.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Learning will be assessed by an oral examination aimed at assessing the knowledge and understanding of the topics discussed during lectures. The evaluation will also take into account the critical thinking skills and the appropriateness of the scientific language.
Marks will be out of thirty. Syllabus and assessment methods are the same for attending and non-attending students.
During the tests, the student cannot consult books, manuals or notes. Students with LSD should contact the teacher to plan compensatory and dispensatory measures, following the guidelines provided by the University.
Marks will be out of thirty. Syllabus and assessment methods are the same for attending and non-attending students.
During the tests, the student cannot consult books, manuals or notes. Students with LSD should contact the teacher to plan compensatory and dispensatory measures, following the guidelines provided by the University.
BIOS-05/A - Ecology - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Ambrosini Roberto, Costanzo Alessandra
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesday 10-12 am by appointment to be requested via email a few days before
tower C, 6th floor, Via Celoria 26