TREE SYSTEMS

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Academic Year of enrolment:

2020/2021

Type of Course:

Related/Supplementary

Optional/Mandatory:

Optional

Degree:

Master's Degree Programme in AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS

Disciplinary Sector:

General Arboriculture and Tree Cultivation

Language:

Italian

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

SPANO Donatella Emma Ignazia

Obligatory attendance:

Yes

Minimum hours of attendance:

Hours of classroom activity:

Prerequisites:

AF code:

40002765

Assessment Methods

Verification of learning:

The assessment is based on (1) a written / oral test comprising a short discussion of topics and problem solving, (2) an oral presentation focusing on a specific topic.

Teaching period

Second semester

Objectives

This course provides the basis for understanding the key concepts of systems analysis and ecophysiology with reference to tree ecosystems. It allows the students to appropriate the basic methods for the quantification of functional processes, the measurement of the interactions between tree systems and the physical environment, the response and adaptation mechanisms.

Contents

Introduction
Ecology, physiology, ecosystem. The ecosystem approach. Objectives and methods.

Ecosystem and systems analysis (1 CFU)
Ecosystem concept, evolution of the ecosystem concept, properties and characteristics, ecosystem structure, ecosystem functionality, time scale and spatial scale for the study of ecosystems. Structural and functional characteristics of tree ecosystems. The agro-ecosystem and eco-compatibility.
Concepts and specific terminology: steady state, aggrading and degrading, turnover and residence time, efficiency of use of a resource, optimization, feedback, resistance, resilience, stability, alterations and disturbances, gradient.

Ecosystem functions and services (2 credits)
Definition of function, good and service. The classification of ecosystem goods and services. Relationship between function and ecosystem service.
Natural Capital. The ecological, social and cultural and economic value. The report on natural capital in Italy. National strategies on forest systems and sustainable development.
Agro-ecosystems. The orchard cultivation system. Multifunctionality of tree crop systems. Urban and peri-urban fruit systems. Mountain tree crop. Arboriculture for the production of wood and energy biomass. Ornamental and urban arboriculture. Green infrastructure. Sustainable management. National urban green strategy. Examples of ongoing projects.

Ecosystem control processes and functionality: (3 CFU)
Introduction: the space and time scale, the forms of energy, the international system of units.
The energy balance: concept, physical and ecological meaning of the terms of the energy balance equation, graphic representation, calculation of the energy balance. Bowen's ratio, stress conditions. The closure of the energy balance. Methodology and calculation.
The carbon balance, the source and sink concept, NEP, GPP, ecosystem respiration. Methodology and calculation.

Exercises: Turnover calculation. Specific examples on datasets collected in different systems. Analysis of experimental data and calculation of the energy flux balance at different spatial and temporal scales. Methods for measuring carbon flux at local and integrated scale. Carbon balance calculation. Study cases. Instruments for measuring the exchange of matter and energy: guided visit to an experimental monitoring site.

The Arboreal Systems (1 CFU)
Structure, Functionality, Services, Management
Tree systems with production function: fruit production, wood, cellulose, paper and biomass production:
Tree systems with protective function
Tree systems with landscape function (national and regional parks, protected areas)
Urban tree systems (municipal parks, tree-lined avenues, gardens).

Recommended Bibliography

The lack of a book text requires the consultation of numerous bibliographic sources of international literature. All the didactic material presented during the lessons and practical sessions will be made available to the students.

Methods of Provision

Conventional

Teaching Methods

The course includes lectures and lab and field sessions on the main topics covered during frontal teaching

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TREE SYSTEMS