CONSERVATION OF WILD FLORA AND VEGETATION
Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: Pietro MINISSALEExpected Learning Outcomes
1) Acquisition of basic knowledge of European, national and regional legislation on the conservation of flora and vegetation with particular reference to Italy and Sicily. Knowledge of the main threats to spontaneous flora and natural, semi-natural environments including agroecosystems and peripheral urban areas. Acquisition of the main methods currently in use for the conservation of natural flora and vegetation resources.
2) Learn the rudiments to understand the problems of conservation and management of terrestrial plants, natural and semi-natural habitats as well as agroecosystems and peripheral urban contexts
3) ability to judge and understand situations of environmental degradation and to foresee possible solutions to counter or reduce it with restoration and redevelopment actions through the use of plant species native to the territory subject to intervention
4) ability to describe with the correct terminology the issues of conservation of terrestrial plants and the potential of restoration activities, requalification and renaturation of natural semi-natural environments, agroecosystems and urban peripheral contexts
5) improvement of learning skills through all available tools, texts, presentations; publications, images and texts from highly reliable websites
Course Structure
The teaching is based on lectures supported by presentations "Power point" containing information and images, mostly original, on the issues addressed and on the case studies. Moreover, there will be exercises on the topics dealt with in the form of case studies and in-depth studies of bibliographical type or sometimes on surveys in the field with the teacher
If the teaching is given in a mixed or remote mode, the necessary changes with respect to what was previously stated may be introduced, in order to respect the planned program reported in the Syllabus.
Information for students with disabilities and / or SLD.
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 SLD), in the persons of professors Giovanna Tropea Garzia and Anna De Angelis.
Detailed Course Content
1. INTRODUCTION TO BOTANY - Plants and environment. Adaptations and life strategies.
2. WILD VASCULAR FLORA . Flora concept. Biological forms. Geographical distribution of species: ranges and vicariances. Endemism. Adaptations of Mediterranean plants to the environment. Indicator species. The Sicilian flora.
3. VEGETATION. Vegetation Concept. Structure and composition of the vegetation. The phytosociological method. Vegetation dynamics. The potential natural vegetation
4. BIODIVERSITY LOSS. Threatened species. IUCN criteria for assessing the risk of extinction. The red book of Italian plants. Actions to safeguard and conserve plant species.
5. AGREEMENTS FOR THE BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY.
6. THE ALIEN SPECIES: definitions, the problem of invasive species; containment and prevention activities
7. HABITAT DIRECTIVE . The 43/92 EEC Habitat Directive. The Natura 2000 network. SCI/ZPS Management plans for the conservation of natural habitats. Goals and objectives of management plans for SCI of Sicily.
8. IN SITU CONSERVATION. Protected areas. National and Regional Parks. Natural areas. Reserves.
9. EX SITU CONSERVATION. Germplasm in conservation activities. The germplasm banks. Botanical gardens.
10. RENATURATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION. Methods and criteria for renaturation and environmental restoration activities with native plants
11. WOODS PROTECTION: protection of the forest in national and regional legislation
12. THE MONUMENTAL TREES: definitions and selection criteria
13. URBAN FORESTS: Definitions and meaning for conservation
14. EXCURSION/S IN THE FIELD. Study and analysis of the material and data collected
Textbook Information
Ubaldi D., 2012. Guida allo studio della flora e della vegetazione. CLUEB Bologna
Bacchetta G. et al. 2006 - Manuale per la raccolta, studio, conservazione e gestione ex situ del germoplasma APAT.
Blasi C. et al. 2005 – Stato della biodiversità in Italia. Ministero dell’Ambiente Direzione per la protezione della Natura. Palombi Editori.
Ercole S. et al. 2010 - Analisi e progettazione botanica per gli interventi di mitigazione degli impatti delle infrastrutture lineari ISPRA
Janssen J.A.M. et al. 2016. European Red List of Habitats. Part 2. Terrestrial and freshwater habitats. European Union
Rossi G., et al. (Eds.), 2013. Lista Rossa della Flora Italiana. 1. Policy Species e altre specie minacciate. Comitato Italiano IUCN e Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare
Rinaldi B.M., Gabbianelli A., Salizzoni E. (a cura di) 2021. Nature in città. Biodiversità e progetto di paesaggio in Italia. Il Mulino
Scientific articles, useful for deepening the topics covered during the lessons, will be provided by the teacher
Ppt provided by the teacher In the ppt, in addition to the examples with images, synthetic texts and diagrams of the topics covered, links are also indicated for the necessary further information from Internet sites
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | INTRODUZIONE ALLA BOTANICA Le piante e l’ambiente. Adattamenti e strategie di vita. | S. Pignatti, P. M. Bianco, G. Fanelli 2001; ppt forniti |
| 2 | LA FLORA VASCOLARE SPONTANEA Significato di flora. Forme biologiche. La distribuzione geografica delle specie: areali e vicarianze. Endemismi. Gli adattamenti delle piante mediterranee all’ambiente. Specie indicatrici di condizioni ambientali ed influssi antropici. La flora sicula. | S. Pignatti, P. M. Bianco, G. Fanelli 2001, ppt forniti |
| 3 | LA VEGETAZIONE Significato di Vegetazione. Struttura e composizione della vegetazione mediterranea. Il metodo fitosociologico. Dinamismo della vegetazione. | S. Pignatti, P. M. Bianco, G. Fanelli 2001, ppt forniti |
| 4 | PERDITA DELLA BIODIVERSITA’ Le specie minacciate. I criteri IUCN per valutare lo status di rischio di estinzione. Il libro rosso delle piante d’Italia. Azioni di salvaguardia e conservazione delle specie vegetali. | Rossi G., et al. (Eds.), 2013; ppt forniti |
| 5 | ACCORDI PER LA CONSERVAZIONE DELLA BIODIVERSITA’ E LA SOSTENIBILITA' AMBIENTALE | C. Blasi et al. 2005; ppt forniti |
| 6 | LE SPECIE ALIENE: defiinizioni, il problema delle specie invasive; attività di contenimento e prevenzione | materiale fornito dal docente |
| 7 | LA DIRETTIVA HABITAT. La Direttiva Habitat 43/92 CEE. Il concetto di habitat. I Siti della rete natura 2000. Piani di gestione SIC/ZPS per la conservazione degli habitat naturali. Obiettivi e finalità dei piani di gestione dei siti di interesse comunitario in Sicilia. La lista rossa degli habitat | C. Blasi et al. 2005; Janssen et al. 2016 ppt forniti |
| 8 | CONSERVAZIONE IN SITU. Aree protette. Parchi Nazionali e Regionali. Aree naturali. Riserve. | G. Bacchetta et al. 2006; ppt forniti |
| 9 | CONSERVAZIONE EX SITU Il germoplasma nelle attività di conservazione. le banche del germoplasma. gli orti botanici | G. Bacchetta et al. 2006; pdf forniti |
| 10 | RINATURAZIONE E RESTAURO AMBIENTALE. Modalità e criteri per attività di rinaturazione e restauro ambientale con le piante autoctone | Ercole et al. 2010; ppt forniti |
| 11 | TUTELA DEL BOSCO: la tutela del bosco nella legislazione nazionale e regionale | materiale fornito dal docente |
| 12 | GLI ALBERI MONUMENTALI: definizioni e criteri di scelta | materiale fornito dal docente |
| 13 | LE FORESTE URBANE: Definizioni e significato per la conservazione | materiale fornito dal docente |
| 14 | LABORATORIO DI FLORISTICA Classificazione e analisi del materiale raccolto. Escursione in campo. |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Verification of learning takes place through an oral interview.
It also requires the development of a power-point presentation on a specific case (IUCN assessment of a species, characteristics of a reserve or a Natura 2000 site, etc.), studied by the student using the necessary data collection tools, highlighted by the teacher during the course.
The evaluation of the student's preparation will take place on the basis of the following criteria: learning ability and level of depth of the topics covered, properties of synthesis and exposition, and the student's ability to reason.
The vote follows the following scheme:
Unsuitable
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Important shortcomings. Significant inaccuracies
Analysis and synthesis skills: Irrelevant. Frequent generalizations. Inability to synthesize
Use of references: Completely inappropriate
18-20
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: At the threshold level. Obvious imperfections
Ability to analyze and synthesize: Just enough skills
Use of references: As appropriate
21-23
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Routine knowledge Analysis and synthesis skills: It is capable of correct analysis and synthesis. Argue logically and consistently
Use of references: Use standard references
24-26
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Good knowledge
Analysis and synthesis skills: Has good analysis and synthesis skills. The arguments are expressed consistently
Use of references: Use standard references
27-29
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Knowledge more than good
Ability to analyze and synthesize: He has considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis
Use of references: Has explored the topics
30-30L
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent knowledge
Ability to analyze and synthesize: He has considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis.
Use of references: Important insights.
Verification of learning can also be carried out remotely, if the conditions require it.