Hydrology and conservation of the territory
Module Hydraulic conservation of the territory

Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: FELICIANA LICCIARDELLO

Expected Learning Outcomes

The aim of the course is to gain knowledge on the protection of agro-forestry environment. In partucular the student will acquire knowledge on hydrological study; erosion and monitoring and prediction; rural landscape conservation; hydraulic-forestal settlements on slopes; fluvial system: river and stream morphology; natural water retention measurements; green infrastructure; reference legislation.

Course Structure

During the course both lectures and active learning techniques will be used to transfer the contents. In particular, students will be involved in the explanation of main teaching topics by asking questions, giving them practical problems to solve…. In addition, students will be involved in solving practical tests, single or in groups, to verify the learning of concepts also during the course.

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

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

As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their specific needs and on teaching objectives of the discipline. It is also possible to ask the departmental contacts of CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs), in the persons of professors Giovanna Tropea Garzia and Anna De Angelis.

Required Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of physics, mathematics, and hydrology.

Attendance of Lessons

Attendance is not mandatory. However, the instructor reserves the right to monitor and record student attendance during the course for statistical and administrative purposes.

Detailed Course Content

Hydrological Study for watershed management. Flow sediment transport. Water erosion. Erosion prediction models. Sediment yield prediction. Water erosion monitoring. Rural landscape conservation. Hydraulic-Forestal settlements on slopes. Fluvial system: river and stream morphology. Natural Water Retention Measures. Green Infrastructure. Reference legislation.

Textbook Information

  1. Rinaldi M., Suria N., Comiti F. Bussettini M. Manuale tecnico-operativo per la valutazione e il monitoraggio dello stato morfologico dei corsi d’acqua. ISPRA. Roma, 2011
  2. Murachelli A., Riboni V. Rischio idraulico e difesa del territorio. Dario Flaccovio, 2010.
  3. Ferro V. La Sistemazione dei bacini idrografici. McGraw-Hill. Milano, 2002
  4. Bagarello V., Ferro V. Erosione e conservazione del suolo. McGraw-Hill. Milano, 2006
  5. Lenzi M.A., D'Agostino V., Sonda D. Ricostruzione morfologica e recupero ambientale dei torrenti. Editoriale Bios, 2000.
  6. Chow, V., Maidment, D. and Mays, L. Applied Hydrology. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York ,1988
  7. Handsout distibuted during the course

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Hydrological Study for watershed managementMurachelli A., Riboni V. Rischio idraulico e difesa del territorio. Dario Flaccovio, 2010
2Hydrological Study for watershed managementHEC-RAS Moto Permanente: Manuale sull'utilizzo del software HEC-RAS (Italiano) Copertina flessibile – di Antonio Cotroneo (Autore)
3Hydrological Study for watershed managementHEC-RAS Moto Vario: Manuale sull'utilizzo del software HEC-RAS Moto Vario (Italiano) Copertina flessibile – di Antonio Cotroneo (Autore) 
4Hydrological Study for watershed managementChow, V., Maidment, D. and Mays, L. Applied Hydrology. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York ,1988
5Processes, monitoring, and estimation of surface water erosion and sediment yield.Bagarello V., Ferro V. Erosione e conservazione del suolo. McGraw-Hill. Milano, 2006
6Conservation of agro-forestry land. Intervention techniques for slope protection.Ferro V. La Sistemazione dei bacini idrografici. McGraw-Hill. Milano, 2002

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

A written mid-term test and a final oral examination are scheduled.

The written test has a duration of 2 hours and is valid for one academic year.

During both the written and oral examinations, students may be asked to solve exercises related to the practical activities carried out during the course.

The main evaluation criteria for the oral examination are: the relevance of the answers to the questions asked, the quality of the content, the ability to make connections with other topics covered in the program, the ability to provide examples, the use of appropriate technical language, and the student’s overall expressive ability.

The assessment of learning may also be carried out online, should circumstances require it.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

  • Hydrological study at the river basin scale according to current regulations. Practical examples.

  • Sediment transport in free-surface flows.

  • Processes of water erosion.

  • Erosion estimation models.

  • Estimation of sediment yield. Practical examples.

  • Monitoring of erosion. Practical examples.

  • Intervention techniques for slope protection. Practical examples.

  • Characterization of watercourses.

  • Morphological classification of watercourses.

  • Water retention measures and green infrastructure. Practical examples.