RESTORATION ECOLOGY

The "Ecology of Environmental Restoration" course is one of the characterizing teachings of the curriculum "Natural capital and ecosystem services". The teaching course provides:
- the conceptual basis for knowing and understanding the organization levels of biological diversity, and the principles that guide its valorisation, protection and conservation;
- fundamentals of restoration ecology;
- the basic knowledge on approaches and methods of ecological restoration of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and ecological landscapes.

The course aims to provide the basic elements for the management and protection of the environment, with a view to conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems. The main ecological values of the environment that must be safeguarded to permit the maintenance over time of ecosystem goods and services are illustrated. In particular, the main problems related to the recovery and environmental restoration of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems are developed, also by examining case studies. In particular, teaching allows you to acquire the basic skills to plan, coordinate, implement, monitor and evaluate the success of projects aimed at the ecological restoration of the environment, with a view to both conserving biodiversity and increasing well-being and human health.

Basic knowledge of plant ecology, animal ecology and applied ecology.

Why restore ecosystems?

Definitions: Ecological Restoration and Ecology of Restoration.

Importance of Biodiversity: Definition and Levels; The VI mass extinction; Threats to biodiversity; Relationships between biodiversity, ecological functions and ecosystem services.

2021-2030: The decade of environmental restoration; Restoration of socio-ecosystems; Development of a culture of environmental restoration.

Ecological restoration: Different levels of environmental restoration - Overcoming of abiotic barriers and biotic barriers; Trajectories of environmental restoration and definition of restoration scenarios; Approaches at the level of species/habitat, ecological functions and ecosystem services; Spontaneous/natural, assisted and reconstructive approaches to ecological restoration.

Ecological restoration planning: Description and ecological assessment of the ecosystem/site to be restored - Construction of a conceptual ecological model; The target or reference ecosystem - Historical approach and modern approach; Definition of the normative-legislative and administrative aspects; Definition of long-term goals and operational objectives; Relations with stakeholders, human capital and socio-economic assessment of environmental restoration; Planning and timing of restoration actions; Monitoring plan and adaptive management; Evaluation of the success of ecological restoration - identification and quantification of indicators; Post-project management of the restored ecosystem.

The ecological bases of restoration: The different spatial and temporal scales of ecological restoration - Restoration at the site level and at the landscape level; Restoration of ecological dynamics and disturbance regimes - Restoration and ecological succession - Environmental restoration and global climate change.

International guidelines and standards of ecological restoration.

Ecological restoration of continental aquatic ecosystems.

Case study analysis.

Slides of lessons and other learning materials provided by means of the moodle platform.

Textbooks:
- Holl K.D. (2020): Primer of Ecological Restoration. Island Press
- Palmer M.A., Zedler J.B., and Falk D. (eds.), 2016. Foundations of restoration ecology. Society for Ecological Restoration, Island Press.

The assessment of learning will be carried out by an oral examination. The student also has the opportunity to take part of the exam as tutorial, illustrating a case study of ecological restoration. The exam aims to assess the degree of mastery by the student of the main problems related to the restoration of ecological systems, and his ability to critically evaluate case studies of environmental restoration.

The course is organized in lectures and tutorial activities. The tutorials, which aim to illustrate projects and specific paradigmatic case studies.

Italian

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion.
Accommodations and Support Services for students with disabilities or with specific learning disabilities:
Ca 'Foscari applies Italian law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) for support and accommodation services available to students with disabilities or with specific learning disabilities. In case of motor, visual, hearing or other disabilities (Law 17/1999) or a specific learning disorder (Law 170/2010) and you need support (classroom assistance, technological aids for carrying out exams or individualized exams, material in accessible format, recovery of notes, specialized tutoring to support the study, interpreters or other), please contact the Disability and SLD office. Disability@unive.it.

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This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Natural capital and environmental quality" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development