ECOLOGY 3

Knowledge and understanding: By the end of the course and practical classes, students will be able to understand how ecological systems function, with particular emphasis on population fluctuations and interspecific relationships. Students will also acquire knowledge and skills related to population management and the regulation of ecological communities.

Applying knowledge and understanding: Students will be able to identify the key parameters that need to be measured for ecosystem assessment and to assess data quality.

Making judgements: Students will be able to distinguish demographic patterns from their potential underlying causes, compare alternative hypotheses, and determine appropriate actions to improve ecosystem functioning.

Communication skills: Practical classes will include group work aimed at developing students’ communication skills and their ability to collaborate effectively in professional contexts.

Learning skills: The autonomy developed during the practical classes will enable students to independently explore topics of particular interest and undertake further study or prepare individual research assignments.

Independent thematic acitivities will offer opportunities to use the students' skills to bring together different data, to explore, and finally to achieve environmental and biological assessments in theory. 

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Attendance at lectures and Ecology practical classes is mandatory, as stipulated by the Academic Regulations of the Degree Programme. The attendance requirement is considered to have been fulfilled if the student has attended at least 60% of the total curriculum hours scheduled for the course.

Pursuant to Article 30 of the University Academic Regulations (RDA), students who have been granted the status of working student, student athlete, student experiencing particular difficulties, student with disabilities, or other eligible status may benefit from a reduction in the attendance requirement of up to 20%. They will also be entitled to take examinations during additional examination sessions reserved for students who have exceeded the standard duration of their degree programme and may receive additional academic support, to be agreed upon with the instructors responsible for the relevant courses.

Relationships between organisms and their environment. Population ecology.  Relationships among organisms. Competition model. Pre--predation model

1)  T.M. Smith & R.L. Smith - Elementi di ecologia.  Pearson

2)  G. Chelazzi, A. Provini & G. Santini - Ecologia. Dagli organismi agli ecosistemi. CEA Ed.

3)  M. Begon, J. L. Harper & C. R. Townsend - Ecologia: individui, popolazioni, comunità. Zanichelli