FONDAMENTI DI ARBORICOLTURA E SELVICOLTURA GENERALE

The course aims to provide students with fundamental knowledge of the biology, morphology, physiology, and ecology of trees and the main tree crops, with particular emphasis on the interactions among vegetation, soil, climate, and the environment.

Students will acquire a fundamental understanding of the structure, functioning, and management of tree-based agroecosystems, forest ecosystems, and urban and peri-urban green spaces, with particular attention to the multifunctional role of woody vegetation in biodiversity conservation, soil protection, water resource provision, climate change mitigation, and landscape and environmental enhancement.

The course will also introduce the fundamental principles of arboriculture and silviculture for the sustainable management, conservation, and enhancement of tree and forest resources, taking into account their diverse environmental, ecological, and territorial functions.

Lectures with the use of projected diagrams and visual materials.

Additional activities: practical exercises, discussion of case studies, and educational field visits.

If the course is delivered in a blended or fully online format, the necessary adjustments may be made to the teaching activities described above in order to ensure that the planned syllabus and course content are fully covered.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, students who require specific support may request an individual meeting to discuss and plan appropriate reasonable accommodations and/or exemptions, according to the learning objectives and their specific needs.

Students may also contact the CInAP (Centre for Active and Participatory Inclusion – Services for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disabilities) faculty representative of the Department, Prof. Anna De Angelis.

No specific prerequisites are required. However, a basic knowledge of biology is recommended.

Attendance at lectures and other teaching activities is strongly recommended to support learning and the development of a critical approach to the topics covered. For statistical and organizational purposes only, the instructor records attendance.

The course contributes to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, providing knowledge and skills related to the biology, management, and sustainable enhancement of tree and forest systems, the conservation of natural resources, the protection of biodiversity, and the role of vegetation in enhancing the resilience of ecosystems and territories.

SDG 2 – Target 2.4: Promote sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices through the sustainable management of tree crops, agroforestry systems, and natural resources, supporting adaptation to climate change and ecosystem conservation.

SDG 3 – Target 3.9: Contribute to environmental quality and human well-being through the enhancement of urban and peri-urban green spaces and the reduction of environmental risk factors associated with air quality and microclimatic conditions.

SDG 6 – Target 6.4: Contribute to the sustainable management of water resources through an understanding of the relationships among vegetation, soil, and climate, and the adoption of management criteria aimed at ensuring the efficient use of water resources.

SDG 11 – Target 11.7: Promote sustainable urban environments through an understanding of the functions of urban and peri-urban green spaces and the contribution of vegetation to microclimate regulation, environmental quality, and human well-being.

SDG 12 – Target 12.2: Promote the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources through principles and techniques for the management of tree crops and forest systems aimed at conserving soil, water resources, and ecosystem fertility.

SDG 13 – Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards through an understanding of the responses of trees and forest species to environmental stresses and the adoption of sustainable management strategies.

SDG 15 – Targets 15.1 and 15.9: Promote the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and integrate biodiversity conservation into land-use planning and management through the principles of sustainable silviculture, tree-crop management, and agroforestry systems.

The course is divided into two sections, focusing respectively on the Fundamentals of Arboriculture and General Silviculture. The main aspects related to the biology, management, and functions of trees and forest systems will be addressed, with particular emphasis on environmental and territorial sustainability.

General Arboriculture

• Tree morphology, anatomy, and physiology; growth and development.

• Relationships among trees, soil, climate, and the environment, and responses to major environmental stresses.

• Reproduction, propagation, and basic principles of nursery production.

• Fruiting cycle and main phenological stages.

• Criteria for species selection according to environmental conditions and management objectives.

• Principles of tree-crop establishment and management.

• Main cultivation practices, training systems, and pruning techniques.

• Ecological, environmental, landscape, and social functions of trees and ecosystem services.

• Principles of urban and peri-urban green-space management and the role of vegetation in mitigating the effects of climate change.

General Silviculture

• Principles and objectives of silviculture and relationships among forests, the environment, and the territory.

• Structure, composition, dynamics, and main parameters of forest stands.

• Silvicultural systems, methods of forest management, and stand treatment regimes.

• Productive, protective, ecological, and landscape functions of forests.

• Principles of sustainable forest management and conservation of biodiversity and natural resources.

• Agroforestry systems and the multifunctionality of tree-based systems.

1. Peano C., Sottile F. (2019) 'Principi di Arboricoltura'. EdiSES srl - Napoli

2. Piussi P., Alberti G. (2015) 'Selvicoltura generale. Boschi, società e tecniche colturali'. Collana Scienze forestali e Ambientali. Compagnia delle Foreste srl – Arezzo

Student learning will be assessed through an oral examination.

The examination may also be conducted remotely, if circumstances so require.

The assessment of the student's preparation will be based on the following criteria: ability to acquire and apply knowledge, depth of understanding of the topics covered, ability to synthesize and present information clearly, and analytical and reasoning skills.

The final grade will be awarded according to the following criteria:

Fail

• Knowledge and understanding: Significant gaps in knowledge and substantial inaccuracies.

• Analysis and synthesis: Insufficient or irrelevant analysis; frequent generalizations; inability to synthesize information.

• Use of references: Inappropriate use of references.

18–20

• Knowledge and understanding: Basic knowledge at the minimum required level, with evident shortcomings.

• Analysis and synthesis: Barely sufficient analytical and synthesis skills.

• Use of references: Barely appropriate use of standard references.

21–23

• Knowledge and understanding: Adequate and routine knowledge of the subject matter.

• Analysis and synthesis: Able to perform correct analysis and synthesis; arguments are presented logically and coherently.

• Use of references: Appropriate use of standard references.

24–26

• Knowledge and understanding: Good knowledge of the subject matter.

• Analysis and synthesis: Good analytical and synthesis skills; topics are presented clearly and coherently.

• Use of references: Appropriate use of standard references.

27–29

• Knowledge and understanding: Very good knowledge of the subject matter.

• Analysis and synthesis: Strong analytical and synthesis skills.

• Use of references: Demonstrates in-depth study of the topics and appropriate use of relevant references.

30–30 cum laude

• Knowledge and understanding: Excellent knowledge of the subject matter.

• Analysis and synthesis: Outstanding analytical and synthesis skills.

• Use of references: Demonstrates substantial in-depth knowledge and extensive use of relevant references.

• Functions of the root system and types of roots

• Above-ground organs, bud classification, and types of shoots

• Reproduction of woody plants; techniques of vegetative propagation

• Training systems and the importance of pruning

• Tree–environment relationships

• Objectives and methods of silviculture

• Main forest stand parameters

• High-forest and coppice systems

• Clear-cutting: advantages and disadvantages

• Functions of forests