The course aims to integrate the student's knowledge on the interactions between the pedoclimatic environment and the biological processes of forest ecosystems.
Paci M. (1997) Ecologia forestale. Edagricole, Bologna.
Odum E.P. (1989) Basi di ecologia. Piccin, Padova.
Kimmins J.P. (1987) Forest Ecology. MacMillan, New York.
Larcher W. (1993) Ecofisiologia vegetale. Edagricole, Bologna.
Lambers H., Chapin III F.S., Pons T.L. (2008) Plant Physiological Ecology. Second Edition, Springer.
The teacher will provide additional documents on general and specific issues during the course.
Learning Objectives
The student will acquire knowledge and skills to understand the structure and functions of forests and tree systems, through the study of the relationships between the leaf, the stem, and the root system of trees, and environmental factors. The student will be able to autonomously define the responses of trees to varying environmental factors, through the use of the main quantitative methodologies for ecophysiological analysis, and will have the basis for the development of forecasting models for the analysis of forest ecosystems. At the end of the course, the student will have the necessary knowledge for the study of specific cases, the organizational skills for the collection of experimental data and field observations, and the communication skills to describe the structure and functioning of forest ecosystems and tree systems with references to concrete cases.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of botany, chemistry, forest ecology.
Teaching Methods
The course program will be divided into lectures (6 CFU) and exercises in the forest (3 CFU). Scientific articles and technical reports will be administered for discussion in the classroom with the teacher and among students
Further information
It is possible to contact the teacher for any additional information concerning the course program. Students with disabilities or with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) can adopt any dispensative forms or the use of compensatory instruments provided for by current legislation and by the University guidelines for carrying out the exams, agree on the modalities with the teacher and office of the Department for Disability / SLD.
Type of Assessment
Students will be evaluated through an oral test, in which the student will have to clearly and correctly demonstrate the eco-physiological processes and parameters proposed during the course.
Oral exam will be aimed at evaluating:
• the ability to clearly and correctly discuss specific issues or case studies
• the quality of the presentation through an appropriate lexicon for the discussion of the topics, clear and with an expository summary
• The ability to create critical and functional connections to demonstrate a complete and mature preparation relating to the course of study completed.
The evaluation is expressed out of thirty.
Course program
Introduction of forest ecophysiology.
Morphological and functional characteristics of forest trees that define forms of adaptation and acclimatization.
Growth and functionality of forest trees in responses to environmental factors.
Determinants of the evapotranspiration of leaves, trees and forests and of the water status; soil-tree-atmosphere water relations; abiotic stress.
Regulation and influence of environmental factors on carbon assimilation and biomass production at foliar, tree and ecosystem level.
Climate change: land use changes and alteration of forest ecosystems.
Introduction to mathematical models based on physiological processes for the study of forest communities.
Instrumental methods, measuring instruments and observations in ecophysiology.