ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY
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No prerequisites are required
The exam is written and structured in multiple choice questions (quizzes) and open-ended questions where the student will be asked to expand on the requested topics in a detailed and precise way, integrating the topics covered in class. The answers may also be detailed through the presentation of diagrams, graphs and summary illustrations relevant to the specific requests. The questions will focus on all the topics covered, in order to allow a complete evaluation of the teaching preparation The exam will take place in a period of one and a half hours. The exam will be positively evaluated upon passing 18/30
The course introduces the knowledge of the ecosystem structure based on the analysis of complexity and the General Theory of Systems. This allows to acquire critical knowledge about issues related to the science of sustainability and sustainable development. The integration of these topics provides tools for the analysis of environmental alterations and technical and legislative solutions. In particular, the tools and indicators for the technical analysis of environmental alteration, European legislative and requalification strategies of environmental integrity will be provided. The last objective will be to apply the sustainability approach on altered aquatic environments LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of the course, the student will be able to: 1. Know the theoretical framework relating to ecology and sustainability science. 2. improve skills necessary to carry out activities of control of environmental integrity and ecological sustainability of environments subject to alterations (e.g. aquatic environments) 3. provide theoretical notions necessary to develop a critical analysis in an interdisciplinary perspective. 4. know the technical language of Ecology useful for understanding the academic approach to sustainability. 5. acquire the notions necessary to develop a critical analysis, presenting the foundations of ecology in an interdisciplinary perspective 6. Know the normative references of the development of sustainability science 7. develop the ability to compare and evaluate environmental alterations, choosing the most suitable tools for restoring ecological integrity according to the principles of sustainability 8. develop the ability to address problems in a transversal manner or be able to collaborate in the environmental monitoring of altered systems 9. improve the ability to extract and synthesize relevant information 10. know how to communicate effectively with experts in the sector
The course topics are selected to provide a comprehensive theoretical framework relating to ecology and sustainability science, useful for refining the knowledge and skills needed to carry out environmental integrity and ecological sustainability monitoring activities. The course is divided into two modules dedicated to Ecology (26 hours) and sustainability science (14 hours). In detail, the main topics of the ecology module deal with the complexity and general theory of systems, necessary to understand the complexity of natural systems and development, the relationship between matter and energy. Space will be dedicated to the demographic growth of populations. The sustainability science module will deal with topics related to sustainable development, limited growth theories, studies of indices and indicators useful as metrics to evaluate sustainability. 8 hours will then be dedicated to the technical and legislative analysis of the recovery of altered river environments according to the principle of the Water Framework Directive
In the Ecology module (26 hours), topics related to the complexity of natural systems, climate and the relationship between matter and energy will be covered. In detail: - General Systems Theory (4 hours) - Complexity and chaos theory (4 hours) - energy and climate: climate models (4 hours) - Energy and complexity of natural systems (4 hours) - matter and energy: resources and reserves (6 hours) - population and demography (4 hours) In the module of The science of sustainability (14 hours), topics related to sustainable development, theories of limited growth, studies of indices and indicators useful as metrics to evaluate sustainability will be covered. In detail: - science of sustainability (4 hours) - sustainable development and schools of sustainability (4 hours) - ecosystem services (2 hours) - ecosystem approach (2 hours) - Green new deal (4 hours) - integrated environmental management (IEM) and environmental indicators (2 hours) In the module of Technical and legislative analysis of environmental recovery applied to altered river environments (8 hours), specific European and Italian legislative issues aimed at the restoration of river ecosystems will be covered. In detail: - Water Framework Directive WFD (4 hours) - Indicators and indices of ecological alteration (2 hours) A case study of a restoration and renaturalization strategy will be proposed using literature material (2 hours)
The course is based on frontal theoretical lessons.
Students can meet with the professor in her office by previous phone or email appointment (e-mail: serena.zaccara@uninsubria.it phone number: 0332422421).
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Degree course in: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES