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WATER ECOSYSTEMS AND WATER GRABBING

Degree course: 
Corso di Second cycle degree in ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Academic year when starting the degree: 
2022/2023
Year: 
1
Academic year in which the course will be held: 
2022/2023
Course type: 
Supplementary compulsory subjects
Credits: 
6
Period: 
First Semester
Standard lectures hours: 
64
Detail of lecture’s hours: 
Lesson (32 hours), Exercise (16 hours), Laboratory (16 hours)
Requirements: 

A basic knowledge of general ecology is appreciate. It is a first year exam and there are no specific prerequisites other than those required for access to the Study Program.

Final Examination: 
Orale

Exams are foreseen in the number planned by the Degree Course. Verification of learning will be carried out through the written exam lasting one hour. A preliminary question is asked relating to laboratory experiences and field experiences and other three open questions which aim to verify the ability to describe in detail and with scientific terminology are proposed. The evaluation of the exam is expressed in thirtieths. The test is passed with a mark of at least 18/30. The evaluation takes into account the overall performance of the test. The criteria of the verification of the knowledge and skills acquired will be elaborated are: the degree of in-depth study of the subject matter of the question, the critical ability to connect and the knowledge processing, the clarity of the expected tasks and the ownership of the terminology used. The study based on the proposed slides must necessarily be completed by the use of texts.

Assessment: 
Voto Finale

The course is a deepening and completion of the general notions of Ecology. It provide a solid preparation to understand the complex phenomena that regulate aquatic ecosystems from an abiotic and biotic point of view, to acquire the correct management skills of the water resource. The aim is to have the necessary basis to understand the water grabbing at a global level and the consequences.

At the end of the course the student will be able to:
• describe the different abiotic variables that regulate a lake, transitional and marine systems
• describe the relationships among the different organisms in an aquatic ecosystem
• discriminate the different management typologies to ensure the correct functioning of aquatic ecosystems dealing with the greatest pressures they are subjected to (anthropic and natural)
• participate in the monitoring of real situations and identify the most significant problems
• assess the problems relating to the over-exploitation of water, the relationship between water and agriculture/livestock, water and climate change from an environmental sustainability perspective
• apply the acquired knowledge to increase the assessment and team work tools (in the laboratory and on the territory)

Abiotic and biotic characteristics of freshwater, marine and transitional ecosystems. Relationships between organisms and trophic chains with practical management examples. Main problems related to the presence of water and its use, water grabbing. Factors influencing the presence/absence of water: geographic factors, demographic factors, water footprint, economic perspective, water geography of climate change, relationship between energy and water, use of water in agriculture and livestock. Land grabbing and water grabbing. Shared water, conflicts and migrations.

Abiotic and biotic characteristics of freshwater, marine and transitional ecosystems. Relationships between organisms and trophic chains with practical management examples. Main problems related to the presence of water and its use, water grabbing. Factors influencing the presence/absence of water: geographic factors, demographic factors, water footprint, economic perspective, water geography of climate change, relationship between energy and water, use of water in agriculture and livestock. Land grabbing and water grabbing. Shared water, conflicts and migrations.

64 hours of teaching, of which 32 of frontal lectures (teacher in Varese and Como in relation to the delivery times) and 32 of laboratory/field (by Prof. Ginevra Boldrocchi). Lectures will be carried out with the help of slides (Power point presentations) projected in the classroom and by watching videos. Attendance at lectures is optional but highly recommended for a better general preparation and for a frontal discussion of the addressed topics. For laboratory and field materials given by the teacher to better understand the faced experiences will be provided. All proposed is designed in order to acquire independent judgment and management skills with a view to environmental sustainability. Attendance at the laboratory/outings on the territory is mandatory for 75% of the hours

The teacher is always available preferably by appointment (roberta.bettinetti@uninsubria.it). It is also available for in-depth or clarification meetings on the topics covered for groups of students in the same way

Professors

BETTINETTI ROBERTA
BOLDROCCHI GINEVRA

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