Provide the agronomists with a broad vision of cultivation, inserted in the context of an ecological system, agro-ecosystem, trying to make the most of the knowledge offered by plant ecology and ecology, to obtain good productions but in a context of environmental sustainability, as well as how cheap. The course also aims to convey the basic principles of agroecology as an alternative and integrated solution to traditional farming techniques.
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of agronomy, in particular main crops cultivation techniques and area of production, botany, with particular reference to general and systematic botany and ecology (interactions between plants, animals and environment) are required. A good knowledge on the concept of Biodiversity and a basic knowledge on biodiversity conservation.
Teaching Methods
The course includes both lectures and practical sessions focused on agroecology and biodiversity conservation in different ecosystems. In addition, visits to farms that adopt an agroecological approach are planned, along with hands-on seed banking activities at the Plant Germplasm Bank of the University of Pavia.
Assessment Methods
The exam is a multiple-choice questions test on all topics covered in the course including labs and excursions.
Texts
The teaching materials consist of lecture slides (PDFs) and scientific and outreach articles provided by the instructors. The following text is also recommended for the agroecology section: Tittonell, P. A Systems Approach to Agroecology. Springer.
Contents
The course will be divided into three main parts: a first part devoted to the concepts of biodiversity, ecosystems and agroecosystems, and to the principles of conservation biology in agroecosystems; a second part focused on the principles of agroecology, with contributions from Prof. Pablo Tittonell (University of Groningen); and a third part dedicated to concrete examples of the conservation of agricultural biodiversity and seed banking techniques. The main topics include: Agroecology and its meaning in the context of a global polycrisis The role of biodiversity in agroecosystems Biodiversity and pest management Biodiversity and the resilience of agricultural systems to climate change Biodiversity and the transition towards biodiverse and resilient agricultural systems Plant genetic resources: threats and opportunities for agriculture Landraces and other categories of threatened plants (obsolete cultivars, NUS, useful plants, wild plants as new crops) In situ and ex situ conservation (germplasm banks) Conservation of rare and endangered wild plant species in agroecosystems Conservation of natural or semi-natural habitats and ecosystems relevant to agricultural practices Legislation on biodiversity protection in Europe and Italy
