ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Full programme
- Bibliography
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
No specific prerequisites are required. The basic concepts of ecology will be taken up again in the course.
The examination of ecology and sustainability is articulated in a written exam structured in thirty questions divided into three modalities: i) closed answers, ii) short term and iii) using summary diagrams, graphs and illustrations. The questions will focus on all the topics covered in the three modules, so as to allow a complete evaluation of the preparation. At the end of the exam there is an open question that will give the student the opportunity to present in depth the requested topic which can be addressed to one of the three modules, allowing the student to obtain the maximum mark (30 cum laude). The exam will take place in an interval of 1 hour. The exam will be evaluated positively on exceeding 18/30.
The course presents the main topics of ecology starting from through the General Theory of Systems (module 1) and issues related to the environmental sustainability science (module 2), providing tools for analysing environmental alterations and technical and legislative solutions, particularly in altered aquatic environments (module 3). In particular, the tools and indicators for the technical analysis of environmental alteration will be presented in the European legislative contest, providing technical strategies addressed toward the requalification of environmental integrity.
The course topics are selected to provide an exhaustive theoretical framework relating to ecology and the science of sustainability. Furthermore, the course aims to refine the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out activities to check the environmental integrity and ecological sustainability of aquatic environments (eg river environments) subject to alterations (eg hydro-morphological, biological, chemical) proposing updated technical solutions.
The course also intends to educate the student about the technical language of Ecology and the understanding of the academic approach to sustainability.
Expected Knowledge and understanding:
- acquire the knowledge necessary to develop a critical analysis, presenting the fundamentals of ecology in an interdisciplinary perspective (module 1)
- Know the normative references of the development of the sustainability science (module 2)
- acquire the technical notions useful for identifying and quantifying the deviation from the ecological integrity of an aquatic environment (module 3)
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
- ability to compare and evaluate environmental alterations, choosing the most suitable tools for restoring ecological integrity and sustainability
- ability to deal with problems in a transversal manner or be able to collaborate in the environmental monitoring of altered systems
Communication skills
- ability to extract and summarize the relevant information
- know how to communicate effectively with industry experts
The course is divided into three modules:
module 1. Ecology, General Theory of Systems
module 2. The science of sustainability.
Module 3. Technical and legislative analysis of environmental recovery applied to altered river environments
Module 1: Ecology (22 hours)
- The General Systems Theory (2 hours)
- Complexity and chaos theory (2 hours)
- The anthropic impact and the state of the planet (Anthropocene) (2 hours)
- Energy (non-renewable energy and renewable energy sources) (4 hours)
- Ecosystems, ecological successions Community heterogeneity linked to sustainable management (6 hours)
- The loss of Biodiversity (2 hours)
- Ecology of the population (2 hours)
- Conservation at species / population level and at ecosystem level (2 hours)
Module 2: The science of sustainability (10 hours)
- Sustainability: international history of an idea (The Stockholm Conference 1972) (2 hours)
- The World Conservation Strategy and international conventions (2 hours)
- Towards a definition of sustainability (2 hours)
- Sustainable development indicators (2 hours)
- Tools for sustainability and ecosystem services (2 hours)
Module 3: integrated analysis of the restoration of ecological integrity of river environments (16 hours)
- WFD Water Framework Directive (4 hours)
- Indicators and indices of ecological alteration (8 hours)
- Environmental requalification and restoration strategies (4 hours)
The topics covered in the three modules are aimed at achieving specific learning outcomes; in particular, the "ecology" module and the "science of sustainability" module confer theoretical notions necessary to develop a critical analysis in an interdisciplinary perspective. Module 3 has pragmatic objectives of technical training and applied to cases of environmental alteration of water courses
The course is divided into three modules:
module 1. Ecology, General Theory of Systems
module 2. The science of sustainability.
Module 3. Technical and legislative analysis of environmental recovery applied to altered river environments
Module 1: Ecology (22 hours)
- The General Systems Theory (2 hours)
- Complexity and chaos theory (2 hours)
- The anthropic impact and the state of the planet (Anthropocene) (2 hours)
- Energy (non-renewable energy and renewable energy sources) (4 hours)
- Ecosystems, ecological successions Community heterogeneity linked to sustainable management (6 hours)
- The loss of Biodiversity (2 hours)
- Ecology of the population (2 hours)
- Conservation at species / population level and at ecosystem level (2 hours)
Module 2: The science of sustainability (10 hours)
- Sustainability: international history of an idea (The Stockholm Conference 1972) (2 hours)
- The World Conservation Strategy and international conventions (2 hours)
- Towards a definition of sustainability (2 hours)
- Sustainable development indicators (2 hours)
- Tools for sustainability and ecosystem services (2 hours)
Module 3: integrated analysis of the restoration of ecological integrity of river environments (16 hours)
- WFD Water Framework Directive (4 hours)
- Indicators and indices of ecological alteration (8 hours)
- Environmental requalification and restoration strategies (4 hours)
The topics covered in the three modules are aimed at achieving specific learning outcomes; in particular, the "ecology" module and the "science of sustainability" module confer theoretical notions necessary to develop a critical analysis in an interdisciplinary perspective. Module 3 has pragmatic objectives of technical training and applied to cases of environmental alteration of water courses
Recommended material
Smith T.M. e Smith R.L. “Elementi di Ecologia”. Pearson Ed.
Odum E.P., "Basi di Ecologia". Piccin Ed.
Further support material
Jorgensen S.E., Marques J. C., Nilesen S. N. “Integrated environmental management – a transdisciplinary approach. Ed. CRC Press
24 Lectures delivered in the classroom in the presence of the teacher.
Slide lessons: downloadable from the e-learning website
During the course, articles and other supplementary material will be reported downloadable from the e-learning website or available in the University libraries.
The teacher is available for interview with students by appointment via e-mail (serena.zaccara@uninsubria.it)