ECOPHYSIOLOGY OF TREE SYSTEMS

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Academic Year of enrolment:

2016/2017

Type of Course:

Characterising

Optional/Mandatory:

Compulsory

Degree:

Master's Degree Programme in FOREST AND ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS

Disciplinary Sector:

General Arboriculture and Tree Cultivation

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

NIEDDU Giovanni

Hours of classroom activity:

Prerequisites:

basic knowledge of biology, botany, mathematics, chemistry, physics, ecology, forestry

AF code:

40003430

Assessment Methods

Verification of learning:

Intermediate test based on a written examination. Oral presentation of a specific topic. Final oral exam.

Teaching period

Second semester

Objectives

Provide the basic knowledge on the functional responses of woody plant systems, understood as a paradigm of complex system, to the changes of environmental factors. The study plans to develop / strengthen in the student the perception of the deep historical, scientific and cultural linkage between ecology and ecophysiology and the science of complex systems even with the knowledge of the properties of the systems, the use of the landscape ecology and the acquisition of analytical methodologies tools, and mathematical models to understand and manage the composition, structure and function of ecosystems and land.

Contents

The concept of complex system and the relationships between ecophysiology, forestry, landscape ecology.
Ecophysiology of the development: morphological and functional characteristics of the principal organs of the tree species. Vegetative growth and life cycles: endogenous and exogenous influences.
The responses of woody plants systems to climate, microclimate and soil: the radiation, light interception and photosynthesis, the energy balance and the radiative balance. The production of biomass, the carbon balance and the climate change.
The plant water relations and the hydric balance. The soil thermal properties and the soil respiration.
The adaptive cycles in the systems.

Recommended Bibliography

Scientific articles and educational material presented during the lectures. Will be referred to the following texts for parties from which to study:

Farina A. 2001. Ecologia del paesaggio. Utet
Jones H.G., 1992. Plants and microclimate. Camb. Univ
Larcher W., 2003. Physiological plant ecology. Springer
Dramstad 1996. Landscape ecology principles in landscape architecture and landuse planning. Island
Paci M., 2009. Ecologia forestale. Edagricole
Smith M., Smith R, 2007. Elementi di ecologia. Pearson

Teaching Methods

Methods and techniques for the measurement of the main meteorological parameters, water status of plants and soil, leaf gas exchange, the nutritional status in woody plant systems.
Acquisition, processing, representation, evaluation and discussion of the data. Field exercises and technical visits.

Contacts/More Information

Erasmus students can take advantage of a further explanation in the classroom, teaching materials in English and take the exam in English, Spanish or Italian.

ECOPHYSIOLOGY OF TREE SYSTEMS

Course year: 1

Course year: 2

Search form

ECOPHYSIOLOGY OF TREE SYSTEMS