ENVIRONMENTAL BOTANY]
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
There are no propaedeutic constraints e. no specific knowledge is required. However, constant reference will be made to basic concepts of Chemistry (general and organic), Cell Biology, Ecology, Biogeography and Physical Geography explained in other courses.
The evaluation of students’ knowledge will take place at the end of the course through the only final exam which will be carried out in written form. At the end, a single vote expressed out of thirty will be registered.
The written test, lasting 90 minutes, will concern 5 open-ended questions chosen from different groups of contents covered in the course. The wording of the questions will conform to the expected learning outcomes.
The evaluation of the written test will consider, in addition to the level of knowledge acquired, the ability to organize and illustrate the arguments, the competence in the use of specialized vocabulary, and the exhibition and illustrative skills (drawings, diagrams) of the student.
The general aim of the course is to transmit knowledge concerning the relationship between plant organisms and the environment, with reference to vascular plants.
The educational path moves across the different levels of organization of plants, from the subcellular one of plants' specific organelles to that of plant communities, through levels of cells, tissues, organs, and individuals. The specific aim is to define and ecologically explain the main adaptations of plants and plant communities of Italian vegetation, constantly refereeing to the European level.
In this way are laid out bases for the recognition of natural habitats in accordance with the community directive 43/92/EC and for the interpretation of environmental quality through plant species and communities.
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. describe and understand the biological specificity of plant organisms;
2. describe and understand the main levels of biological and ecological organization of plants;
3. describe and understand the main adaptations and trade-offs of higher plants in relation to the environment;
4. recognize and distinguish the main plant communities of Italian vegetation;
5. evaluate the response of plant species and communities to environmental factors and pressures according to the integrated environmental analysis.
Module 1 Plant Biology (20 hours)
Characteristics of plant cells, with reference to plastids, cell wall and vacuole;
Classification and characteristics of plant tissues: meristematic (primary and secondary) and permanent (parenchyma, protective, sclerenchyma, collenchyma, transport, secretory) tissues;
Anatomy and adaptations of the main organs of higher plants (leaf, stem and root);
Main physiological functions of plants (photosynthesis, mineral nutrition and transport of solutions).
Module 2 Plant Ecology (16 hours)
Biological forms and their distribution in respect to latitudinal and altitudinal gradients;
Biotic relationships and metabolism;
Pollination, dispersal and life cycle;
Soil and climate factors, disturbance and stress;
Concepts of optimum and niche applied to plants;
Functional types and strategies of plants;
Global spectrum of plant form and function.
Module 3 Plant Communities (12 hours)
Concepts of plant community, plant formation and association;
Vegetation sampling and analysis, the phytosociological method;
Climate, Bioclimate and natural vegetation (climax) potential of Italy;
Vegetation dynamic, type of succession and vegetation series.
Module 4 Italian Vegetation (16 hours)
Vegetation of the coasts and the Mediterranean region;
Wetland and riparian vegetation;
Broadleaf forests and coniferous forests;
Forest management principles;
Subalpine shrublands and heaths;
Vegetations of the alpine belt and grasslands;
Principles of grassland management (hay meadows and pastures);
Introduction to natural habitats of the Community Directive 43/92/CE.
The course objectives will be achieved through classroom lectures (64 hours) and practical exercises (16 hours).
Classroom lectures use presentations with images, graphs, and diagrams taken from university textbooks and scientific literature, which will later be made available to students on the course's e-learning platform. At the beginning of the lessons, at the request of the students, the teacher will provide clarifications and insights concerning topics from previous lectures. It will also be possible to ask for clarifications at any time during the lessons.
The field exercises, in average of 4 hours, aim to show the main adaptations of plants covered in the classroom lectures and will be carried out in city parks or in sub-urban protected areas. Students will meet at the site traveling by their own means. At the end of each practical activity, students are asked to fill in a short report which represents a moment of self-evaluation. The reports will be presented by the student during the final exam. Attendance at practical activities is mandatory.
The teacher is always available for urgent matters at the e-mail address bruno.cerabolini@uninsubria.it. Using the same e-mail address is also possible to arrange meetings in the teacher's office placed by DBSV via J.H. Dunant, 3 in Varese (third floor).