510359 - DIDACTIC-EDUCATIONAL PATHS IN PARKS, GARDENS AND BOTANICAL GARDENS

courses

ID:

510359

Duration (hours):

54

CFU:

SSD:

BOTANICA AMBIENTALE E APPLICATA

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Primo Semestre (01/10/2025 - 16/01/2026)

Course Objectives

The main objectives of the course are: to develop the ability to analyze the plant heritage hosted within various types of urban and non-urban green areas; develop the ability to carry out educational activities towards diversified audiences, based on robust scientific contents. The expected learning outcomes are the following: -Knowledge of current environmental challenges (in particular, global warming, pandemics, biodiversity loss, ecological restoration of Nature), knowledge of the seasonal phenological rhythm of plants (foliation, flowering, fruiting), knowledge of the plant species (botanical nomenclature, taxonomical ranks, identification, flora, herbarium), knowledge of the plant community (Vegetation, Habitat, Ecosystem, Ecosystem Services, Habitat Directive, Ecological Restoration), knowledge of the main types of urban green areas (parks, gardens, botanical gardens in particular), knowledge of the main types of protected natural and semi-natural green areas (pursuant to the Framework Law on Protected Areas, the Lombardy Regional Law and the Habitat Directive), knowledge of approaches and tools for carrying out educational activities with non-specialised audiences (schools, families, general public).

Course Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of general Botany, with particular reference to the parts of the plant: roots, stem, leaf, flower, fruit. Basic knowledge of systematic Botany, with particular reference to: Lichens, Bryophytes, Ferns, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms.

Teaching Methods

The teaching makes use of frontal lessons and excursions. For carrying out the frontal lessons, Power Point presentations are used, made available by the teacher on the e-learning platform. During the excursions, students are guided in interaction with the plant world to collect botanical materials and data, as well as experimenting with contents and approaches discussed during the frontal lessons. Attendance at excursions is strongly recommended. To encourage inclusion, recordings of the lessons will be made available to students included in the list in Annex A attached to the 2024/25 teaching methods.

Assessment Methods

The exam consists in the presentation of a didactic-educational activityroute- laboratory project in a green area. The final assessment is based on the degree of in-depth analysis and understanding of the topics presented and on the ability to integrate the knowledge acquired during teaching within the project presented. To encourage inclusion, the learning assessment methods will be agreed based on the specific needs of the students included in the list in Annex A attached to the 2024/25 teaching methods.

Texts

1) Clauser M. Pavone P., 2016. Orti Botanici. Eccellenze italiane. Thema Edizioni. 2)Taffetani F., 2012. HERBARIA. Nardini Editore. 3) Berera P., Ronchi A., Fico G., 2018. Seduzione Repulsione quello che le piante non dicono. Rete Orti Botanici della Lombardia, GRAFO srl. 4) Sugni M., Ronchi A. Piante da fiore, Rete Orti Botanici della Lombardia, SCRIPTA EDIZIONI.

The course intends to provide students with concepts, methods and tools for analyzing plant heritage within various types of green areas and for developing educational activities-paths for non-specialist audiences based on robust scientific contents concerning the plant world. The main and current environmental challenges for which it is necessary to raise public awareness today are dealt with (global warming and consequent heat waves, droughts, water bombs, fires, melting glaciers, typhoons and tornadoes, hydrogeological instability; pandemics; loss of biodiversity ; conservation and restoration of Nature with reference to the UN DECADE OF ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION program and the RESTORATION LAW). The main parts of the plant are examined (root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit), with reference to their variety, in relation to shapes, colours, smells, tastes, poisons, using curious examples. A focus is dedicated to the seasonal rhythm of the plant and to phytophenology. Aspects relating to plant species are covered, such as botanical nomenclature, plant classification, identification, flora and herbarium (highlighting the contribution of native and non-native species). Aspects related to the plant community are considered, such as vegetation, habitats, ecosystems and ecosystem services, with particular reference to the Habitats Directive and ecological restoration (meaning and examples of methodological aspects). Different types of green areas are analyzed and treated, such as parks, gardens and botanical gardens in urban areas (with their assets and their characteristics), as well as natural and semi-natural parks and protected areas (with their assets and the main categories of protected areas). Some useful approaches are then dealt with for carrying out educational activities, with particular reference to environmental interpretation and the Hands on approach. Excursions are also planned in various types of green areas in order to observe different aspects of the plant world, collect data and materials useful for educational activities and experiment approaches and tools aimed at these activities in the field.