Fondamenti di Ecologia

The aim of the course is to provide students with fundamental knowledge of the organization and functioning of ecosystems, the flows of matter and energy, and the main biogeochemical cycles, with particular attention to the interactions between natural systems and human activities. By the end of the course, students will be able to interpret ecological systems and their main dynamics, analyse simple environmental problems using data and models, and assess the effects of human activities and interventions on ecosystems from the perspective of sustainability and ecological transition.

In accordance with the Dublin Descriptors, by the end of the course students are expected to acquire: 

• Knowledge and understanding: knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of ecology, the organization and functioning of ecosystems, the flows of matter and energy, the main biogeochemical cycles, and the interactions between natural systems and human activities.
• Applying knowledge and understanding: the ability to apply ecological principles to the analysis of environmental systems and problems, interpret simple ecological data and models, and assess the effects of human activities and interventions on ecosystems.
• Making judgements: the ability to critically analyse data, case studies, and environmental issues, and to make independent assessments of the possible ecological consequences of human interventions.
• Communication skills: the ability to describe and discuss ecological and environmental issues using appropriate scientific terminology, including during discussions and activities carried out as part of the course.
• Learning skills: the ability to independently explore the topics covered through the study of textbooks, teaching materials, and applied case studies, integrating ecological knowledge with skills and concepts relevant to engineering.

The course will be delivered through lectures integrated with discussions, case-study analyses, and individual and group exercises. Practical activities will include the analysis of real ecological systems, simple processing of environmental data, matter and energy balances, and the interpretation of environmental issues related to activities and interventions of engineering interest.

Where possible, field activities will be carried out to support the understanding and management of environmentally relevant ecological issues.

Applied activities and case-study discussions are intended to develop the ability to apply ecological principles to the analysis of environmental problems and to interpret data and processes relevant to engineering.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above in order to ensure consistency with the programme set out in this syllabus.

• Introduction to ecology and ecological systems: definition and objectives of ecology; levels of organization; spatial and temporal scales; scientific approach, data and models; ecosystem concept; biotic and abiotic components; emergent properties; ecosystem structure, function and dynamics; resistance and resilience.
• Environmental factors and organism responses: biotic and abiotic factors; conditions and resources; limiting factors; law of the minimum and law of tolerance; ecological stress; adaptation, acclimation and phenotypic plasticity; habitat and ecological niche.
• Physical, aquatic and terrestrial environments: solar radiation, temperature, precipitation and water availability; main climatic factors; ecological properties of aquatic environments; stratification, oxygen, salinity, nutrients and anthropogenic pressures; soil, physical and chemical properties, infiltration, runoff, erosion and degradation.
• Populations and ecological strategies: population structure and dynamics; birth rate, mortality and dispersal; exponential and logistic growth; carrying capacity and population regulation; life-history strategies and main trade-offs.
• Ecological interactions, communities and biodiversity: intra- and interspecific competition; predation, herbivory, parasitism, mutualism and facilitation; community structure; species richness, diversity and dominance; interaction networks.
• Disturbance, succession and ecosystem dynamics: disturbance; primary and secondary succession; resistance and resilience; alien species and biological invasions; principles of ecosystem management and restoration.
• Climate, biomes and ecosystem distribution: relationships among climate, vegetation and soil; environmental gradients; main terrestrial biomes and geographical distribution of ecosystems.
• Energy, productivity and food webs: energy flow in ecosystems; primary and secondary production; trophic levels; food chains and food webs; transfer efficiency; bottom-up and top-down controls.
• Matter and biogeochemical cycles: compartments, stocks and flows; mass balances and residence times; decomposition and mineralization; water, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles; nutrients, eutrophication and self-purification capacity of aquatic ecosystems.
• Ecology applied to engineering: principles of ecological engineering; use of natural processes in design; constructed wetlands and natural wastewater treatment; mass balances; role of vegetation in erosion control; bioengineering and soil bioengineering; principles of ecological restoration and monitoring.
• Global change, ecosystem services and sustainability: climate change and other anthropogenic pressures; effects on species and ecosystems; ecosystem services and natural capital; green infrastructure and Nature-based Solutions; sustainability, trade-offs and ecological footprint.

1. Smith T. M., Smith R. L., Elements of Ecology, Pearson.
2. Galassi S., Ferrari I., Viaroli P., Introduction to Applied Ecology: From Theory to the Practice of Sustainability, CittàStudi.

Learning will be assessed through an oral examination aimed at evaluating the student’s knowledge and critical understanding of the topics covered, as well as the ability to apply ecological principles to the interpretation of environmental systems and issues. The assessment will take into account the relevance and completeness of the answers, the ability to make connections among the different course topics, analytical and reasoning skills and, where appropriate, the ability to interpret simple data, models, or applied case studies, as well as the appropriate use of scientific terminology and clarity of expression.

Learning assessment may also be carried out online, should circumstances require it.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, interested students may request a personal meeting in order to arrange any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the educational objectives and specific needs. Students may also contact the CInAP referring teacher (Centro per l’Integrazione Attiva e Partecipata – Services for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders) within their Department (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

• Ecosystem and its main components
• Difference between habitat and ecological niche
• Exponential and logistic population growth
• Liebig’s law of the minimum
• Nitrogen cycle and the main alterations caused by human activities
• Main interactions among species and their effects on populations
• Resistance and resilience of an ecosystem
• Human activities affecting ecosystem structure and functioning
• Ecological principles underlying the functioning of a constructed wetland
• Role of vegetation in reducing erosion and principles of soil bioengineering
• Nature-based Solutions and ecosystem services
• Analysis of the effects of a human intervention on ecosystem resistance and resilience