The knowledge of the main terrestrial ecosystems, consisting of biotic and non biotic components interacting each other, dynamic and open to interactions with other ecosystems.
oral examination, after the production of a report concerning the field excursions
Course program
The ecosystem and the environment. The concept of complexity. Environment: biotic (plants and animals) and non-biotic components.
The energy flow in the Biosphere. Energy balance, Net radiation, food chains, primary and secondary productions.
Material cycle. The main biogeochemical cycles (C, N, P, S) and the water cycle. Global changes and their effects on cycles.
The physical environment: photosyntetically active radiation, temperature, atmosphere composition, water, minerals, soil, fire. The ecological indicators.
The Climate. Microclimate e macroclimate. The main climates of the world. The Bioclimate. The climate of the town.
The main terrestrial biomes.
The biological environment. Individual, population, community: the structure and the dynamics. Habitat, ecological niche, competition, relationships in the community. The ecotone and the ecological corridors.
Vegetation dynamics. The Successions: theories, concepts, climax, successional patterns. The secondary successions on the abandoned fields and pastures. The naturalization of forests. The disturbances and the ecological successions.
The landscape as a result of interacting ecosystems: the secondary successions as a starting-point for landscape modifications (historical and ecological aspects). Connectivity and fractionation of the landscape: the ecological networks.
The biodiversity and different scale levels (ecosystem and territory).
The relationships between man and forests ecosystems in the course of history: tillage, urbanization, forest exploitations, atmosphere and water pollution.
Urban forestry.
Field surveys in a) forest ecosystem, b) water treatment plant.