Learning objectives
At the end of the course the students will be able to apply the methods exposed during the lessons and applied during the field work, sampling and classifying the vegetation according to the phytosociological method. Moreover, the students will be able to monitor periodically the vegetation in order to follow vegetation dynamics.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
Principles and methods of the vegetation science. The coenological approach and the vegetation as a continuum. The feartures of the vegetation: the phytosociological method: theory and praxis. The phytosociological sampling. Statistical analysis and use of the phytosociological relevés. Vegetation classification. The higher units of the classification. The association and its floristic diagnosis.
Vegetation systematics. The vegetation belts. The European Vegetation Checklist; the Prodrome of the Italian vegetation.
Point intercepts and frequency counts in the vegetation sampling. Techniques for vegetation monitoring. The monitoring of prioritary habitats. Vegetation dynamics and periodical fluctuations. Primary and secondary succession. Methods for studying vegetation dynamics. the climax. Vegetation mapping. The phytosociological vegetation maps. The vaims of vegetation mapping.
Naturality and artificiality index. The artificiality scale. The vegetation of the Emilia-Romagna region.
Historical and present management of Italian forests. Dead wood and its ecological relevance.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Ubaldi D. Geobotanica e Fitosociologia. Clueb Editori
Pedrotti F. Cartografia geobotanica. Pitagora
AA.VV. Classification of Plant Communities Junk
Teaching methods
Lessons in the classroom during which the main topics of the course will be exposed and discussed with an active interaction with the students. Field excursion for application of the exposed methods during the lessons in the classroom.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination aiming at verifying how the students will become able to apply the methods exposed during the lessons. The examination will be passed when the students reply positively and adequately to two questions on the three proposed.
Other information
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