ENVIRONMENTAL BRYOLOGY

Educational Objectives

Knowledge and understanding: The student will be able to: know and understand the biology, systematics, distribution and ecology of bryophytes, as well as the methods of species recognition; understand the morphological, physiological and ecological peculiarities of bryophytes and the main phylogenetic relationships between them; know the methods of reproduction; understand the meaning and value of biodiversity, in relation to the applicative implications for the conservation and protection of the natural environment.

Ability to apply knowledge: Students will be able to apply the knowledge acquired, in order to understand the structure-function relationship and the connection with the environment. They will acquire the ability to analyze bryophytic diversity and to evaluate issues of global interest related to climate change, the invasion of alien species, the exploitation of natural resources. In particular, they will be able to distinguish the main taxonomic groups and identify them. Through practical laboratory activities, students will be able to acquire the ability to use dichotomous keys for the identification and classification of bryophytes.

Autonomy of judgment: students will acquire autonomy of judgment in the evaluation and interpretation of the knowledge acquired, which is expressed in the ability to understand bryophytic diversity in an evolutionary key. They will be able to collect, organize and interpret bryological data for the purposes of conservation and enhancement of the natural heritage.

Communication skills: students will be able to clearly and correctly explain the skills acquired, using a useful bibliography to communicate specific knowledge, using appropriate scientific terminology. The student must acquire appropriate technical vocabulary and correct bryological terminology, such as to allow effective and qualified communication.

Learning skills: students will have the opportunity to learn a study method and organize the work to be done. They will be able to independently expand the skills acquired during the course, through access to bibliographic resources and other tools available online, to understand them and to transmit them. The acquisition of these skills will enable them to update their knowledge and independently tackle subsequent levels of learning to be exploited also in the preparation of the final exam.

Lectures and laboratory practice. 

Taxonomy and systematics of Bryophyta (mosses), Marchantiophyta (liverworts) and Anthocerotophyta (hornworts). Identification of bryophyte species and use of dichotomous keys; slide preparation of fresh specimen. Life forms and life strategies. Ecology, Phytogeography and Phytosociology. Biological and ecological indices and their application in environmental field. The bryophyte safeguard: the IUCN categories and red-list. Bryophytes as biomonitors of terrestrial ecosystems and their use in environmental monitoring. The bryophytes as organisms responsible for deterioration of historic monuments.

Aleffi M. (a cura di) - Biologia ed Ecologia delle briofite. Antonio Delfino Editore.

Material provided by the teacher.