Ateneo - UPO

The integrated course "Biodiversity and Protection of Natural Heritage" consists of two modules, Ecophysiology and Zoology, and aims to provide an integrated understanding of biodiversity and of the biological processes underlying its functioning and conservation.

The Ecophysiology module deals with the main physiological processes of plant organisms, with reference to the distinctive features of plant cells, the transport of water, solutes and photosynthates, photosynthetic metabolism, growth, development, responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, and plant biotechnology.

The Zoology module introduces animal biodiversity, systematics, cladistics, taxonomy, evolutionary processes and mechanisms of speciation. The course analyses the main animal groups, with particular attention to their morphological, structural, ecological, phylogenetic and evolutionary features, to Italian fauna, and to species of management or conservation interest.

Taken together, the two modules enable students to connect the functioning of plant and animal organisms with the protection of natural heritage, biodiversity conservation and the sustainable management of ecosystems.

For the Ecophysiology module:
- Taiz - Zeiger, Fisiologia Vegetale, Piccin, Padova, 2012.

For the Zoology module:
- Cleveland P. Hickman, Susan L. Keen, David J. Eisenhour, Allan Larson, Helen Lanson, Olimpia Coppellotti, Laura Guidolin, Diversità Animale, 18th ed., 2020.
- Primack R., Boitani L., Biologia della conservazione, Zanichelli, 2013.
- Alternatively or as supporting material: Cleveland P. Hickman, Susan L. Keen, David J. Eisenhour, Allan Larson, Helen Lanson, Vincenzo Arizza, Olimpia Coppellotti, Laura Guidolin, Zoologia, McGraw Hill, Milan, 2020.

Teaching materials, slides, scientific papers where appropriate, and additional resources will be made available on the DIR platform.

The integrated course aims to provide students with a coherent foundation for understanding plant and animal biodiversity and the physiological, evolutionary, ecological and conservation-related processes that regulate its functioning. The learning objectives are consistent with the Environmental Management and Sustainable Development programme and aim to connect basic biological knowledge with the analysis and protection of natural heritage.

More specifically, the course aims to: 1) provide conceptual tools for interpreting the main physiological processes of plants and their relationship with the environment; 2) provide the foundations for understanding animal diversity from systematic, phylogenetic, evolutionary and functional perspectives; 3) develop the ability to connect the functioning of plant and animal organisms with issues of conservation, management and sustainable use of natural resources; 4) promote the appropriate use of technical and scientific language to describe biological processes, taxonomic groups, adaptations and organismal responses to environmental conditions.

For the Zoology module, 36 hours of lecture-based teaching and 12 hours of interactive/laboratory teaching are planned. The distribution of hours for the Ecophysiology module among lecture-based teaching, interactive teaching and self-study should be completed according to the actual course structure.

Basic knowledge of general biology is required. For the Ecophysiology module, prior knowledge of general botany, biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics is useful in order to understand the physiological mechanisms of plant organisms. For the Zoology module, knowledge of cell structure and function, basic genetics and evolution, the organisation of living organisms.

The course uses lectures, presentations, images, diagrams, multimedia materials and additional resources made available on the DIR platform.

In the Ecophysiology module, lectures are aimed at understanding plant physiological processes and the relationships between structure, metabolism, development and responses to the environment.

In the Zoology module, theoretical lectures are integrated with guided discussions, possible seminars by experts, practical laboratory exercises, observation of specimens using a stereomicroscope, use of dichotomous keys for animal taxon identification and, depending on the timetable and organisational conditions, an educational visit to a Natural History Museum.

The teaching methods are designed to ensure coherence between theoretical knowledge, direct observation, interpretation of biological data and application of knowledge to the conservation and management of natural heritage.

Slides, teaching materials and any additional resources will be available on the DIR platform. The lecturers will be available to provide clarification on course topics and teaching materials, also outside class hours, by appointment.

Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders or Special Educational Needs may request dedicated services and tools by contacting the University Staff for Student Careers and Services and by consulting the relevant University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities. Once they have contacted the University Staff, students may contact the course lecturer to discuss examination arrangements and teaching-related aspects.

Learning will be assessed through two examinationa corresponding to the Ecophysiology and Zoology modules. The exams are designed to assess, in coherence with the objectives and expected learning outcomes, theoretical knowledge, the ability to interpret physiological, morphological, evolutionary and ecological processes, and the ability to connect this knowledge with issues related to the conservation and management of natural heritage.

The Ecophysiology will be a oral aimed at assessing knowledge and understanding of the main plant physiological processes and of the relationships between plant physiology and environmental conditions.

The Zoology exam includes questions on the Moodle platform, such as multiple choice, true/false, gap-filling, ordering and drag-and-drop items, aimed at assessing knowledge of animal biodiversity, systematics, taxonomy, speciation, the main animal groups and their evolutionary and conservation-related interpretation. Some questions may require the interpretation of images, diagrams or morphological data.

The final mark is expressed out of 30 and is assigned collegially by the lecturers of the integrated course on the basis of the overall level of achievement of the expected learning outcomes, without applying a simple arithmetic or weighted average between modules. The exam is passed with a mark of 18/30 or higher. A sufficient mark requires knowledge of the fundamental concepts of plant ecophysiology and zoology, correct use of basic disciplinary terminology and the ability to interpret simple examples or data discussed during the course. Higher marks are awarded when students demonstrate broader, integrated and critical knowledge, the ability to connect physiological, morphological, evolutionary, ecological and conservation-related aspects, and the ability to present or argue answers with scientific rigour.

1. Plant ecophysiology
- General characteristics of plants and distinctive features of plant cells: cell wall, chloroplasts, vacuole, plasmodesmata.
- Transport of water, solutes and photosynthates: movement of water from soil to atmosphere; electrochemical potential of water and water potential; movement of water within the plant; mineral nutrition and solute uptake; transport of photosynthates; allocation and partitioning of assimilates.
- Metabolism: photosynthesis, light reactions and the photosynthetic apparatus; linear and cyclic photosynthetic electron flow; photoinhibition; site of action of photosynthetic herbicides; carbon reactions; Rubisco and CO2 fixation; Calvin-Benson cycle; photorespiration; C4 and CAM plants; starch and sucrose biosynthesis; nitrogen and sulphur assimilation.
- Growth, development and defence: the importance of light as an environmental signal; photoreceptors; phytochrome and cryptochrome; plant hormones.
- Plants and the environment: plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses.
- Plant biotechnology: historical overview; the role of plant physiology and biotechnology in crop improvement.

2. Zoology and animal biodiversity
- Introduction to biodiversity and conservation of animal biodiversity.
- Systematics, cladistics, rules of taxonomy, evolutionary processes and mechanisms of speciation.
- Construction and interpretation of phylogenetic trees.
- Main animal groups: Protozoa; Porifera; Cnidaria/Coelenterata; Platyhelminthes; Nematoda; Annelida; Mollusca; Arthropoda; other groups of evolutionary interest.
- Deuterostomes: Echinoderms and Chordates; Urochordates, Cephalochordates and Vertebrates.
- Vertebrates: fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds, with attention to species of management or conservation interest and to Italian taxa.
- Practical activities: observation and identification of protozoans, tardigrades, molluscs, arthropods, fish and Italian birds; use of dichotomous keys and stereomicroscope observations.

Integration of the gender dimension: the course may include a moment of reflection on the contribution of women and men scientists to the development of plant physiology, zoology and conservation biology, as well as on the role of gender perspectives in scientific communication and in professions related to the management and protection of natural heritage.

Knowledge and understanding: by the end of the integrated course, students will know the main physiological processes of plant organisms, the relationships between plants and the environment, and the principles of animal biodiversity, systematics, taxonomy, cladistics, speciation and evolution. They will also know the main animal groups, with particular reference to diagnostic characters, morphological organisation, ecological aspects, phylogenetic relationships and Italian fauna of management or conservation interest.

Applying knowledge and understanding: students will be able to connect plant growth and functioning models with the foundations of plant physiology; interpret cause-and-effect relationships between physiological processes and environmental conditions; use basic tools of systematics and taxonomy; observe and recognise animal specimens using a stereomicroscope and dichotomous keys; interpret morphological and biological data for classification, conservation and management of natural heritage.

Making judgements: students will be able to critically analyse plant physiological processes, organismal adaptations, anatomical and functional differences among major animal groups, and data derived from observations, laboratory activities or scientific materials, assessing their biological, ecological and conservation-related significance.

Communication skills: students will be able to use appropriate terminology in plant physiology, zoology, ecology and conservation, describing biological processes, taxonomic characters and issues related to biodiversity and the protection of natural heritage in a clear, rigorous and concise manner.

Learning skills: students will be able to deepen and update their knowledge independently through the study of textbooks, teaching materials and scientific papers, using available sources for a critical and reasoned understanding of biological processes and conservation topics.