Ecology
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The teaching aims at providing the basic principles of ecology, i.e. the scientific investigation of the distribution and abundance of organisms and of the interactions that determine distribution and abundance, as well as of the fluxes of energy and matter of the ecosphere. It aims at providing an integrative outlook to ecosystem functioning and to the hierarchical levels of organization of the biosphere, from individuals to populations and ecosystems, highlighting the human impact on the biosphere and the interactions between ecosystem processes and human activities.
All these contents will help students to get acquainted with ecosystems structure and function, and - together with the class of Agricultural systems and soil science - will lie down the bases to be used in subsequent classes to understand the practical applications of living organisms in forestry, nature-based solutions, water management, and environmental remediation.
Most of the contents will be delivered via lectures, integrated with short sessions dedicated to calculations.
All these contents will help students to get acquainted with ecosystems structure and function, and - together with the class of Agricultural systems and soil science - will lie down the bases to be used in subsequent classes to understand the practical applications of living organisms in forestry, nature-based solutions, water management, and environmental remediation.
Most of the contents will be delivered via lectures, integrated with short sessions dedicated to calculations.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding. The students will:
· know and understand the ecological interactions between the environment and living organisms.
· know and understand how populations grow, and how different species can interact.
· know and understand energy flows in ecosystems.
· know and understand trophic networks in ecosystems.
· know and understand the main biogeochemical cycles.
· know and understand the fundamental concepts relating to biodiversity and its measurement.
· know and understand the causes and effects of climate change.
· know and understand ecosystem services.
Applying knowledge and understanding. The students will be able to:
· analyse a given environment, highlighting its ecological characteristics, its functioning, and the ecosystem services it provides.
· know and understand the ecological interactions between the environment and living organisms.
· know and understand how populations grow, and how different species can interact.
· know and understand energy flows in ecosystems.
· know and understand trophic networks in ecosystems.
· know and understand the main biogeochemical cycles.
· know and understand the fundamental concepts relating to biodiversity and its measurement.
· know and understand the causes and effects of climate change.
· know and understand ecosystem services.
Applying knowledge and understanding. The students will be able to:
· analyse a given environment, highlighting its ecological characteristics, its functioning, and the ecosystem services it provides.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Introduction to ecology: ecological organization levels: organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, landscapes, biomes and biosphere; the biological control of the geochemical environment. Examples and general properties of ecosystems, biotic and abiotic components, production and decomposition, ecosystem services.
Energy flux through the ecosystem: energy sources for organisms: autotrophy and heterotrophy, productivity in the ecosystems, methods for measuring the productivity; food webs and trophic levels.
Biogeochemical cycles: general description and main associated environmental issues: cycles of water (desertification), carbon (greenhouse effect), nitrogen (eutrofication), phosphorous (eutrofication) and sulphur (acid rains).
Ecosystem engineers and species' role in ecological processes.
Ecoystem services and disservices.
Physical environment and limiting factors for organisms.
Organisms and the environment: evolutionary ecology: theory of life history, concepts of fitness and reproductive investment; adaptations of organisms to the environment, ecophysiology, tolerance and avoidance reactions, acclimatization and adaptation.
Populations: dynamics and regulation of populations, intraspecific competition and external forcing; exponential and logistic growth; life tables. Community: species diversity, communities in geographical gradients, ecotones and concept of edge effect. Successions in ecosystems: the ecosystem development, concept of the climax, types of climax and examples of succession.
Energy flux through the ecosystem: energy sources for organisms: autotrophy and heterotrophy, productivity in the ecosystems, methods for measuring the productivity; food webs and trophic levels.
Biogeochemical cycles: general description and main associated environmental issues: cycles of water (desertification), carbon (greenhouse effect), nitrogen (eutrofication), phosphorous (eutrofication) and sulphur (acid rains).
Ecosystem engineers and species' role in ecological processes.
Ecoystem services and disservices.
Physical environment and limiting factors for organisms.
Organisms and the environment: evolutionary ecology: theory of life history, concepts of fitness and reproductive investment; adaptations of organisms to the environment, ecophysiology, tolerance and avoidance reactions, acclimatization and adaptation.
Populations: dynamics and regulation of populations, intraspecific competition and external forcing; exponential and logistic growth; life tables. Community: species diversity, communities in geographical gradients, ecotones and concept of edge effect. Successions in ecosystems: the ecosystem development, concept of the climax, types of climax and examples of succession.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge in chemistry, physics, mathematics, zoology and botany.
Teaching methods
The course will employ a plurality of methods to accomplish its objectives, including lectures, laboratory experiences, field work, multimedia resources, individual and/or team projects.
Teaching Resources
W.D. Bowman, S. D. Hacker (2017). Ecology. International Fifth Edition. OUP USA
Lectures' slides (will be made available on the course website)
There are no differences in teaching materials and exam methods between attending and non-attending students.
Lectures' slides (will be made available on the course website)
There are no differences in teaching materials and exam methods between attending and non-attending students.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral test aimed at evaluating the understanding of the key concepts of ecology illustrated in the lessons. The following aspects will be evaluated: the level of understanding and knowledge of the contents of the subject, the ability of critical reasoning, the quality of the exposure, the use of a specialized lexicon. Marks out of thirty.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
There are no differences in teaching materials and exam methods between attending and non-attending students.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
There are no differences in teaching materials and exam methods between attending and non-attending students.
BIOS-05/A - Ecology - University credits: 6
Field activity: 8 hours
Exercises: 8 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Exercises: 8 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Brambilla Mattia, De Felice Beatrice
Professor(s)
Reception:
on appointment, please contact me via email
Via Celoria 26, 6th floor, tower C