Learning objectives
Knowledge – On the completion of this course, students will be able to relate the diversity and distribution of plant species and community in alpine environments, to explain alpine plant adaptations in relation to environmental factors, to analyse the influence of alpine vegetation on ecosystem properties and processes, and to evaluate current research on alpine plant ecology.
Skills – On the completion of this course, students will be able to identify the most common alpine plant species and vegetation types, to measure key environmental variables, to apply scientific methods for planning data collection and analysis, and to communicate research results.
Prerequisites
None
Course unit content
This course provides an opportunity to learn about the functional ecology of plants in high-elevation ecosystems, which are among the most threatened by the current climate crisis.
After the course, students will be able to use knowledge and skills to collect and interpret environmental information and use it to understand, appreciate and manage alpine ecosystems.
Full programme
During the first class, information about learning outcomes, course programme, teaching methods and assessment will be provided.
Course programme:
1) The alpine life zone and plant communities
- Alpine ecosystems and the high-elevation treeline
- Habitat and plant diversity in the alpine life zone
2) Alpine climate and bioclimates
- Common and regional features of alpine climate
- The climate alpine plants experience
3) Alpine plants, snow and water relations
- Plant responses to snowpack
- Soil moisture and plant water status at high elevation
4) Alpine soil
- Physics of alpine soil formation
- Organic and inorganic compounds
5) Mineral nutrition
- Soil nutrients
- Nutrient status of alpine plants
- Nutrient cycling and nutrient budgets
6) Carbon uptake
- Photosynthetic capacity of alpine plants
- CO2 use efficiency in high elevation plants
- Photosynthetic responses to the environment
7) Carbon release and allocation
- Tissue respiration of alpine plants
- Carbon investments
- Carbon costs of leaves and roots
- Plant carbon allocation
8) Growth and biomass production
- Growth and development
- Leaf and root growth dynamics
- Biomass production and losses
Field excursion: 3 days (2 nights) in late June/early July under variable alpine weather, involving walking on steep and unstable terrain at high elevation. During the field surveys, students will observe natural environmental gradients controlling the distribution of different plant communities and will evaluate the role of environmental drivers on plant species occurrence and functions (day 1 and 2). In addition, also considering field observations, a sampling design will be developed (day 2) and data collection will be carried out (day 3). During field excursions, students will experience teamwork under challenging alpine conditions and have the opportunity to develop new research ideas.
Depending on the number of participants and the funds available, students may be asked to pay a fee to cover accommodation costs.
Bibliography
Körner (2021) Alpine Plant Life - Functional Plant Ecology of High Mountain Ecosystems. Third Edition. Springer
Teaching methods
Lectures (8 in total, 2h each) in which the topics of the course will be addressed which will be presented by the teacher and discussed through active interaction with the students. The slides used during the lectures will be uploaded weekly on the Elly platform.
Field excursion (3 days) for a direct knowledge of the theoretical topics covered in the course.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam to verify how the knowledge acquired during the course can be used by students to understand the functional ecology of alpine plants.
The exam will be passed when the students reply positively and adequately to two questions out of the three proposed.
Other information
Link to the Elly page of the course:
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
This course contributes to the realization of the goals “Climate action” and “Life on land” of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
