The knowledge of the forest as a complex system, consisting of biotic and non biotic components interacting each other, dynamic and open to interactions with other ecosystems.
M. Paci, Ecologia Forestale, Ilsole24ore Edagricole 2011.
M. Paci, Le foreste della mente, Altravista, Pavia, 2011.
Learning Objectives
Competence acquired (at the end of the course): the knowledge of main functional mechanisms of forest ecosystems
Skills acquired (at the end of the course): the interpretation of forest ecosystems dynamic on an ecological basis
Prerequisites
Courses recommended: Plant Biology, General and inorganic Chemistry
Teaching Methods
Theoretic Lessons (33 h) and excursions in forest (15 h).
Type of Assessment
Oral examination. The frequency to the field excursions is a necessary condition to pass the examination.
Course program
The forest ecosystem. Environment: biotic (plants and animals) and non-biotic (solar radiation, water, atmosphere, chemical elements) components. Net radiation, food chains, primary and secondary productions, energy flow, material cycle. Global changes and their effects on cycles.
Relations between the physical environment and the tree: photosyntetically active radiation, temperature and tree specie distribution, cold and hot damages, atmosphere composition. Tree species distribution referring to the water balance of the site and adaptations to dry sites.
The fire as an ecological factor. Climate and Bioclimate. Macro and Microclimate, the main climates of the world. Climate diagrams. The climate under the forest canopy.
The biological environment. Tree, population, community (habitat, ecological niche, competition, relations in the community). The concept of biodiversity.
Vegetation dynamics. The ecological successions: theories, concepts, successional patterns; secondary successions on the old fields. The natural regeneration. The virgin 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). Fauna and landscape.
The biodiversity and the forests.
The relations between man and forests ecosystems in the course of history
Field surveys: excursions to the forests of Vallombrosa (Pratomagno) and Monte Morello (near Florence): secondary successions and landscape modifications.