ECTS - University of Pisa
Scheda programma d'esame
ECOLOGY
LISANDRO BENEDETTI CECCHI
Academic year2016/17
CourseBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Code073EE
Credits9
PeriodSemester 1 & 2
LanguageItalian

ModulesAreaTypeHoursTeacher(s)
ECOLOGIABIO/07LEZIONI80
LISANDRO BENEDETTI CECCHI unimap
ALBERTO CASTELLI unimap
Programma non disponibile nella lingua selezionata
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
Students will be able to demonstrate a solid understanding of: (1) the processes that shape the distribution, abundance and diversity of species in natural environments, including the influence of abiotic drivers and biological interactions, (2) the problem of pattern and scale with the analysis of variability at multiple scales in space and time through hierarchical sampling designs (3) the logical foundations of the experimental analysis of species distribution and diversity, (4) the relation between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning and (5) human impacts on terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, including the effects of climate change and resource overexploitation.
Assessment criteria of knowledge
Students will be assessed on their understanding of: (1) the role of competition, herbivory, predation and the influence of the abiotic environment in determining patterns of distribution, abundance and diversity of species in nature, (2) the problem of pattern and scale and their ability to quantify spatial and temporal variation in ecological variable using hierarchical sampling designs, (3) the logical and methodological principles underpinning ecological experiments, (4) the relation between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, including available experimental evidence and (5) the main effects of climate change, resource overexploitation and other human impacts on biodiversity.

Methods:

  • Final oral exam
  • Final written exam

Further information:
Students have the choice to give a written exam at the end of the course, which is open only to students of that particular year, or to give an oral exam at any of the prescribed oral sessions. The written exam is a multiple choice test of 10 questions and will last two hours. Oral exams generally last half an hour.

Teaching methods

Delivery: face to face

Learning activities:

  • attending lectures
  • participation in seminar
  • Laboratory work

Attendance: Advised

Teaching methods:

  • Lectures
  • Seminar
  • laboratory
Syllabus
Introduction to ecology: problems, paradigms, habitats and organisms. Natural populations: demography, interactions, distribution. A logical approach to the analysis of ecological problems. Relationships between theory and experiments. The design of ecological experiments. The experimental analysis of patterns of species distribution in space and time. The experimental analysis of ecological processes. Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Introduction to human impacts and biodiversity conservation.
Bibliography
Begon M., Townsend C.R., Harper J.L. 2006. Ecology: From individuals to Ecosystems. 4th Edition, John Wiley & Sons. Recmmended readings: Krebs, C. J. 2008. “Ecology. The experimental analysis of distribution and abundance”. 6th ed. Benjamin Cummings Underwood, A. J. 1997. “Experiments in ecology: their logical design and interpretation using analysis of variance”. Cambridge University Press.
Updated: 14/11/2016 17:27