The aim of the course is to give the theoretical and practical bases for the study of both plant species and plant communities from a taxonomical and morpho-functional point of view. In the practical activities the students will learn the basic techniques to learn the identification of Italian plants, to collect functional traits of plants, monitor plant communities and the use of software for statistical analysis of biological data.

Syllabus
The course addresses the issues of biodiversity of land plants living on coastal sand dunes and rocky cliffs. Key features of main groups belonging to Spermatophyta are described in terms of systematic and based on their morpho-functional adaptations to the ecological conditions of these ecosystems. It deepens specific issues concerning flora, vegetation and nature conservation with an applicative approach in order to evaluate coastal habitats.