Environmental agronomy and grassing

Module AGROECOLOGIA E AGRONOMIA

The aim of the course is to guide students to learn basic knowledge and to acquire skills on the relationship between agriculture and environment through the study of the structure and functions of ecosystems, the organization and ecological design of agro-systems aimed at planning of crop production and the preservation of the territory in Mediterranean-type environment.

In particular, at the end of the course, the students will be able to:

i) demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of the basics of ecology and agronomy, with particular regard to environment-agriculture relationships and agroecological models for the transition of agriculture towards sustainability and possible strategies for climate change mitigation;

ii) apply knowledge and understanding skills with a professional approach, and possess adequate skills to devise and support arguments aimed at solving problems relating to anthropic action on agrosystems and the definition and application of agroecological strategies and tactics able of optimizing productive response of the crops and maximizing ecosystem services, at the scale of the field, farm and territory;

iii) collect and interpret data and information aimed at autonomously analyzing the dynamics, processes and effects of the management that are carried out within the agrosystems in the Mediterranean environment, critically assessing their environmental and social impact and any of scientific and ethics implications, as well as the identification of models, methods and tools for the design and management of resilient and regenerative agroecosystems;

iiii) communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions relating to topics of ecological and agronomic interest to specialists and non-specialists, using an agroecological approach;

iiiii) develop, with specific reference to the discipline topics, learning skills that allow them to continue their university studies in subsequent cycles with a high degree of autonomy.

Lessons (28 hours). Hands-on activities in the form of individual papers or research, working group, and in-depth seminars (28 hours).

If the course will be held in mixed or remote mode, the necessary changes to what was previously stated may be introduced, in order to comply with the planned program reported in the syllabus.

*Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, if the conditions require it.

Information for students with disabilities and/or Learning disorders

To guarantee equal opportunities and in accordance with the current laws, students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the didactic objectives and specific needs.
It is also possible to contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participated inclusion - Services for Disabilities and/or Learning disorders) of the Department, prof. Giovanna Tropea Garzia and prof. Anna De Angelis.

Presentation of the course.

Basic knowledge of systems theory.

Epistemological basis of ecology and agronomy. Environment-agriculture relationship. The crisis of modern agriculture. The agroecological paradigm for the transition of agriculture towards sustainability.

The ecosystem: structure, functions and evolution. Climax concept. Trophic chains and biogeochemical cycles. Biotope. Biocenosis. The higher plants: recalls of morphology, biology, systematics. Geographical distribution of plant species.

From the ecosystem to the agro-ecosystem. Analysis of the relationships between the abiotic, merobiotic and biotic components of the agroecosystem, and its hierarchical organization (field, farm and territory scale). Effects of anthropic action on the agroecosystem. Productive response of the crops to agronomic factors. Ecosystem services.

The natural factors of plant production (soil, atmosphere, plants): characteristics, functions, agronomic management (arrangement of the land and soil tillage, fertilization, irrigation, control of spontaneous flora, choice of crops and their organization in space and time).

Mediterranean environment (resources and limitations) and climate change.

Comparison between conventional and conservative agricultural models. Agroecological role of agrobiodiversity. Resilient and regenerative agricultural systems on a territorial scale (polyculture, agroselviculture).

The planning of agrosystems on a territorial scale: models, methods and analytical tools.

1. Ceccon P., Fagnano M. Grignani C., Monti M., Orlandini S. - Agronomia. EdiSES Ed. 2017.

2. Caporali F., Campiglia E., Mancinelli R. - Agroecologia. Teoria e pratica degli agroecosistemi. CittàStudi Ed. 2014.

3. Altieri M.A., Nicholls C.I., Ponti L. - Agroecologia. Una via percorribile per un pianeta in crisi. Edagricole Ed. 2015.

4. Lecture notes provided by the teacher (ppt presentations of the lessons, notes on the topics covered)

Oral exam

In particular, the achievement of the learning outcomes will be ascertained through an oral discussion with the student, during which the performance will be assessed in terms of the level of preparation achieved on the subjects of the discipline, argumentative and synthesis skills, clarity and language properties, with specific reference to technical terminology, as well as interdisciplinary connection skills and the degree of in-depth analysis. Verification of learning can also be done electronically, if the conditions require it. The evaluation will be expressed according to the following scale:

i) insufficient performance (<18). The student shows incomplete and superficial knowledge of the subjects of the discipline and lack of argumentative skills, does not express itself clearly and appropriately;

ii) sufficient performance (18 ÷ 20/30). The student has understood and demonstrates to know, albeit generically, the topics of the discipline, possesses satisfactory argumentative and expository skills, and language properties;

iii) fair performance (21 ÷ 23/30). The student shows a fairly good understanding and knowledge of the subjects of the discipline, as well as fairly good argumentative and expository skills and language properties;

iiii) good performance (24 ÷ 26/30). The student shows a good understanding and knowledge of the topics of the discipline, as well as good argumentative and expository skills and language properties,

iiiii) optimal performance (27 ÷ 29/30) The student shows an optimal degree of understanding and knowledge of the subjects of the discipline, as well as optimal argumentative skills and interdisciplinary connection, optimal analytical and synthesis skills, clarity and language properties;

iiiiii) excellent performance (30/30 ÷ 30/30 cum laude) The student shows full mastery of the subjects of the discipline, as well as excellent argumentative skills and interdisciplinary connection, clarity and confidence in presentation and language properties. Honors are given to the particularly deserving student, who will have shown specific interest in the topics of the discipline attested by a high degree of in-depth study.

1 Structure and functions of the ecosystem

2 Agrosystem and its components

3 Sustainable management of the soil resource

4 Concept of resilience