Ateneo - UPO

Study of environmental and anthropogenic impacts. In particular, will be addressed topics concerning protective and non-protective responses induced by environmental stressors and global climate change . Ecotoxicology. Impacts in agricultural ecosystems.

Ecologia applicata. 1st edition. Bargagli R., Amon Ed. 2020. ISBN-13-978-8866031710
Ecotoxicology essentials. 1st edition. D.W. Sparling. Academic press, 2016. ISBN-13-978-0128019474.
Introduzione all’Ecologia applicata. 1st edition. Galassi S., Città Studi, 2014. ISBN-13-978-8825173925.
Ecologia vegetale agraria. 1st edition. C. Vazzana. Patron Ed., 1998. ISBN-13 978-8855524421.
Biologia della Conservazione. Prima Edizione. Santini L. et al.. Hoepli. 2026. ISBN-13 978-8836014170.

Provide basic and critical tools for understanding the complexity of ecosystems and the mechanisms and consequences of environmental global changes. Provide the most current theoretical and practical tools of ecotoxicology. Provide basic tools for the study of agro-ecosystems

A good knowledge of basic ecology, botany, zoology, cell biology, and inorganic chemistry

Classroom lessons Lectures by experts on specific topics. Excursion and, Experimental laboratory

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services- students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Tests in progress; discussion of topics during the lessons; practical exercises. The final examination is generally oral and consists of at least 3 questions covering the respective macro-topics. The examination will be successful with the grade at least of 18/30. The student must know at least the basis of ecology and show an understanding of the analytical method. The overall grade will take the use of appropriate scientific terminology and the ability to make connections between topics.
Mark range Grade Description
18–20/30 Satisfactory Presents the content in a generally comprehensible manner, albeit with limited fluency and linguistic precision. Demonstrates a basic understanding of the topics, with some minor gaps in knowledge. Uses technical and scientific language in a basic and sometimes imprecise manner. Confidence in presentation is inconsistent and the argumentation lacks depth.
21–23/30 Fair Presents the topics clearly and with sufficient command of expression. Demonstrates adequate and fairly comprehensive knowledge of the content. Uses technical and scientific language generally correctly, with occasional terminological inaccuracies. Shows reasonable confidence in presentation and an adequate ability to argue a point.
24–26/30 Good Presents the material clearly, in an organised and coherent manner, with good command of language. Demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter and an effective ability to link topics together. Uses technical and scientific language appropriately. Expresses themselves with confidence and independence, effectively supporting their arguments.
27–29/30 Excellent Presents the material with a high degree of clarity, precision and lexical mastery. Demonstrates an in-depth and well-organised knowledge of the topics, integrating them with relevant connections. Uses technical and scientific language with rigour and precision. The presentation is confident, independent and supported by an effective capacity for analysis and argumentation.
30/30 with distinction More Excellent The student presents the material with excellent expressive mastery, methodological rigour and terminological precision. They demonstrate a comprehensive, critical and in-depth understanding of the subject matter, with the ability to summarise, offer personal interpretations and make interdisciplinary connections. They use technical and scientific language in a fully appropriate and rigorous manner. The presentation is extremely confident, independent and characterised by a high degree of scientific maturity and argumentative skill.

Part I: Applied Ecology. Generalities, ecosystems, energetic flow and balance, anthropogenic impact, alterations in biogeochemical cycles, acid rain, effects of acid rain, eutrophication, effects of eutrophication, greenhouse effect, global warming, climate change, biodiversity, biodiversity indexes, biodiversity loss, alterations of habitat, invasive species, species interactions, overexploitation of resources, safeguarding of biodiversity, protected parks and marine areas. Part II: Ecotoxicology and biomonitoring. General part, pollutants, types of pollutants (heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, pcb, dioxins, PFAS, endocrine disruptors, microplastics), natural and anthropogenic sources of pollutants, transport and dispersion, matrixes, concept of toxicity, fate of a chemical compound in a biological system, transfer of pollutants along trophic chains, bioconcentration, bioaccumulation, biomagnification, intercorrelation of pollutant effects, toxicological assays, toxicity curve, toxicity thresholds. Ecotoxicological assays, bioavailability, environmental biomonitoring generalities, triad approach, bioindication, bioindicator organisms, generalities on biomarkers, lysosomal membrane destabilisation, neutral red retention assay, morphometric alterations of immune system cells, cytoskeleton modifications, antioxidant enzymes, metallothioneins, acetylcholinesterase activity, genotoxicity, micronuclei, comet assay, biomonitoring programmes, mussel watch. Part III: Analysis of environmental impacts. Italian environmental normative, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, impact assessment , Nature Based Solutions, Ecological Risk Assessment: management objectives, conceptual model, analytical phase, risk characterisation, management phase, environmental damage, cause-effect relationships, reclamation, bioremediation. Part IV: Ecology of agricultural systems. Generalities, agroecosystem, agricultural landscapes, soil, soil profile, texture, humification, mineralisation, soil water, porosity, permeability, soil pH and temperature, unsustainable use of soil: compaction, erosion, sealing, salinisation, desertification, energy flow in agricultural systems, biotope, biocenosis, agroecosystem interactions, photosynthetic performance, fertilisers, pesticides, Biological control: history, integrated pest management, concept of biological control, use of entomophages, parasitoids, predators, microbiological control, biological control methodologies, advantages of biological control. Marine ecosystems, Sustainable aquaculture

In order to reach the level of sufficiency, the student must demonstrate: - to know the theoretical bases and the application of the main applied ecology themes - to know the bases of ecotoxicology and environmental assessment - to know the bases of agro-ecosystems functioning For the attainment of an advanced level, the student must demonstrate that he/she - to be able to apply the basis of applied ecology to current environmental topics - to be able to deal and manage topics related to anthropogenic impact - to be able to communicate clearly (also to non-specialist public) the main ecological concepts