The aim of the course is to provide basic knowledge about different methodological approaches used in the study of plant biodiversity with special attention to agroecosystem environmental quality assessment and its active conservation, to sustainable development and goals #12 (responsible consumption and production), #13 (climate action) and #15 (life on land) of Agenda 2030. At the end of the course students should have acquired the ability to use the biodiversity analysis as a parameter for assessing the environmental sustainability of the agroecosystem.
Course Prerequisites
Having acquired knowledge of systematic botany in particular with regard to vascular plants
Teaching Methods
The course, after an introduction to the biodiversity analysis, envisages the carrying out of practical laboratory and field activities that provide students with the opportunity to apply the methodologies illustrated in addition to gaining experience in collecting and processing data for the interpretation of the results.
Assessment Methods
Oral exam during which the student will have to present, by slides projection, a hypothetical research project using the biodiversity analysis to assess the sustainability of the agroecosystem. The purpose of the test is to evaluate the student's observation capacity in relation to environmental issues that can be assessed and monitored by biodiversity analysis, as well as to verify the acquisition of the methodologies illustrated during the course. For the categories of students participating in the“inclusive education” programme, a suitable examination modality will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Texts
Lecture notes provided by the teacher. In particular, for the categories of students participating in the “inclusive education” programme, explanatory teaching materials and lecture recordings on the topics will be provided.
Contents
Methods of study of the different levels of biodiversity (intra-specific, specific, environmental, landscape diversity) will be examined. They will be taken into account case studies that use biodiversity as a parameter for assessing the environmental sustainability and the multifunctionality of the agroecosystem.
