ID:
510902
Duration (hours):
29
CFU:
3
SSD:
ECOLOGIA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 12/06/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
The course aims to explain the different sampling techniques used to understand ecological phenomena in marine environments and their application for the conservation of the seas and oceans (Goal 14 of the UN AGENDA 2030 for Sustainable Development).
APPLIED KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
One of the aims of the course is to train students in developing a sampling design, recognizing the most common species of benthic macroinvertebrates and fish, applying different sampling techniques in the field, as well as learning the use of a software for the analysis of images for the evaluation of the covering of benthic populations.
In addition, this course aims to make students more aware about the UN AGENDA 2030 for Sustainable Development goals, with particular regard to Goal 14: " Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development".
AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT:
The autonomy of judgment will be developed through laboratory and field activities, learning the organization of a sampling from the beginning to the end, evaluating the critical issues and finally analyzing the data collected.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
During the course, attention will be paid to the student's ability to communicate a case study in the ecological field, starting from the aim of the work up to the discussion of the results.
ABILITY TO LEARN:
Given the practical purpose of this course, students will manage to operate directly in the water, learning the most efficient sampling techniques for a specific case study.
The course aims to explain the different sampling techniques used to understand ecological phenomena in marine environments and their application for the conservation of the seas and oceans (Goal 14 of the UN AGENDA 2030 for Sustainable Development).
APPLIED KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
One of the aims of the course is to train students in developing a sampling design, recognizing the most common species of benthic macroinvertebrates and fish, applying different sampling techniques in the field, as well as learning the use of a software for the analysis of images for the evaluation of the covering of benthic populations.
In addition, this course aims to make students more aware about the UN AGENDA 2030 for Sustainable Development goals, with particular regard to Goal 14: " Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development".
AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT:
The autonomy of judgment will be developed through laboratory and field activities, learning the organization of a sampling from the beginning to the end, evaluating the critical issues and finally analyzing the data collected.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
During the course, attention will be paid to the student's ability to communicate a case study in the ecological field, starting from the aim of the work up to the discussion of the results.
ABILITY TO LEARN:
Given the practical purpose of this course, students will manage to operate directly in the water, learning the most efficient sampling techniques for a specific case study.
Course Prerequisites
Basic ecological knowledge on the main factors regulating the distribution and abundance of organisms in aquatic environments. Basic zoological knowledge on the main marine taxonomic groups.
Teaching Methods
Theoretical lectures (hours/year): 16
Laboratory activities (hours/year): 6
Field trip (hours/year): 7
Attendance at the theoretical lectures and laboratory activity is strongly recommended.
The theoretical lectures will be presented with Power Point presentations; while during the laboratory activities, the students will be trained to the observation of marine macroinvertebrates with the use of a stereoscope, as well as to the use od a software for the image analysis with the use of their own computer.
During the field work it will be possible to try different sampling techniques in snorkeling.
Laboratory activities (hours/year): 6
Field trip (hours/year): 7
Attendance at the theoretical lectures and laboratory activity is strongly recommended.
The theoretical lectures will be presented with Power Point presentations; while during the laboratory activities, the students will be trained to the observation of marine macroinvertebrates with the use of a stereoscope, as well as to the use od a software for the image analysis with the use of their own computer.
During the field work it will be possible to try different sampling techniques in snorkeling.
Assessment Methods
The exam is a written test composed by both a theoretical part and the resolution of short exercises (e.g., assessment of the frequency/coverage of a species within a reference quadrat; elaboration of an experimental design).
Texts
The material will be provided on the KIRO platform: presentations (in pdf), chapters of books, scientific papers and other material.
Suggested books for consultation (also available in the library):
-"Biologia Marina - Biodiversità e funzionamento degli ecosistemi marini", Roberto Danovaro, UTET Università (2nd ed., 2019, ISBN: 8860085314)-
-"Manuale di metodologie di campionamento e studio del benthos marino" - Gambi & Dappiano 2003, Biologia Marina Mediterranea 10(1): 638 pp. (This book in no longer available, but specific chapters will be shared with the students through the platform KIRO e-learning)
-"L'immersione scientifica - Tecniche di indagine subacquea" - Colantoni, La Mandragora Editrice, 144 pp.
Suggested books for consultation (also available in the library):
-"Biologia Marina - Biodiversità e funzionamento degli ecosistemi marini", Roberto Danovaro, UTET Università (2nd ed., 2019, ISBN: 8860085314)-
-"Manuale di metodologie di campionamento e studio del benthos marino" - Gambi & Dappiano 2003, Biologia Marina Mediterranea 10(1): 638 pp. (This book in no longer available, but specific chapters will be shared with the students through the platform KIRO e-learning)
-"L'immersione scientifica - Tecniche di indagine subacquea" - Colantoni, La Mandragora Editrice, 144 pp.
Contents
The course is composed by theoretical lectures, laboratory activities and one final field survey at the sea.
The theoretical lectures, which will illustrate the main underwater sampling methods, will address the following topics:
-Introduction to marine ecology: benthos, plankton and necton; marine habitats and zonation in the Mediterranean Sea; main adaptations of marine organisms in rocky and soft bottoms
-Identification of marine invertebrates
- Elaboration of an experimental design and analysis of hypotheses in ecology
-Benthos underwater sampling techniques
- Underwater sampling techniques of marine phanerogams
-Visual census of fish fauna
-Underwater sampling techniques in geology
-Volunteering and citizen science. Presentation of the objectives of the UN AGENDA 2030 with particular reference to Goal 14.
The laboratory activities will allow the students to learn how to recognize target species, in order to facilitate that sampling in the field. Furthermore, laboratories will be also dedicated to data analysis: assessment of the percentage coverage of benthic sessile species with the use of a software for image analysis and statistical analysis on marine community’s data.
The theoretical lectures, which will illustrate the main underwater sampling methods, will address the following topics:
-Introduction to marine ecology: benthos, plankton and necton; marine habitats and zonation in the Mediterranean Sea; main adaptations of marine organisms in rocky and soft bottoms
-Identification of marine invertebrates
- Elaboration of an experimental design and analysis of hypotheses in ecology
-Benthos underwater sampling techniques
- Underwater sampling techniques of marine phanerogams
-Visual census of fish fauna
-Underwater sampling techniques in geology
-Volunteering and citizen science. Presentation of the objectives of the UN AGENDA 2030 with particular reference to Goal 14.
The laboratory activities will allow the students to learn how to recognize target species, in order to facilitate that sampling in the field. Furthermore, laboratories will be also dedicated to data analysis: assessment of the percentage coverage of benthic sessile species with the use of a software for image analysis and statistical analysis on marine community’s data.
Course Language
Italian
More information
Students interested in this course are advised to also evaluate the "Experimental Underwater Physics" course, which constitutes an ideal complement to the underwater sampling techniques that will be learned in this course.
In fact, the "Experimental Underwater Physics" course aims to provide the fundamental knowledge on what happens to the human body underwater, and includes a large part of practice to be carried out in the pool in order to then be able to carry out underwater sampling operations in safety.
Innovative Teaching Project dedicated to the inclusion of certain categories of students (e.g. disabled people, workers): recordings of the lessons will be provided, as well as availability for appointments (up to 2h per week), will be provided for those students belonging to the reference categories.
In fact, the "Experimental Underwater Physics" course aims to provide the fundamental knowledge on what happens to the human body underwater, and includes a large part of practice to be carried out in the pool in order to then be able to carry out underwater sampling operations in safety.
Innovative Teaching Project dedicated to the inclusion of certain categories of students (e.g. disabled people, workers): recordings of the lessons will be provided, as well as availability for appointments (up to 2h per week), will be provided for those students belonging to the reference categories.
Degrees
Degrees (2)
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION, SCIENCE EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION
Master’s Degree
2 years
2 years
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