THE ECOSYSTEM OF THE VENETIAN LAGOON

N.B. Students cannot attend classes or take exams if they are not officially enrolled in this course. For any information about the SIE English-taught courses for exchange students, please visit this webpage: https://www.unive.it/pag/35228/


The course provides an overview on the Venice lagoon environment from an ecological perspective.

Gaining an understanding of basic ecological notions using the example of the Venice Lagoon ecosystems. How a lagoon is formed and defined. Lagoon evolution and environmental drivers governing species perstistance and their interactions.

Firstly, basic ecological principles is provided, by using specific examples from lagoon ecology and directly from the Venice lagoon when available. There are different levels of focus, i.e. individual, population, community, ecosystem and landscape.

Secondly, the course helps the understanding of:
• adaptations of plant and animal organisms in the lagoon environment
• the factors that regulate population growth and the spacial distribution of species in different habitats
• the role of biological interactions in determining the structure of communities and the functioning of food chain
• anthropogenic impacts and restoration activities

No prerequisites necessary

1- Transitional water ecosystems & Lagoons with a focus on Venice;
2- Ecology: Adaptations to the environment: limiting factors and the ecological niche
3- Introduction to key group of species at play: From primary producers to top predators in the VL
4- Key Biotic interactions – predation, competition and examples
5- Invasive species
6- Physical drivers
7- Ecosystem functioning
8- Evening walk (weather dependent) to see it in practice & answer Qs
9- Ecosystem services
10- Human activities & Anthropogenic impacts: City, Islands, Recreation
11- Human activities & Anthropogenic impacts: Industry, Fisheries & Aquaculture
12- Human activites & Anthropogenic impacts:Climate change
13- Restoration: framework, past activites & ongoing projects
14- Recaps for exam & Questions

Two steps will be taken to test learning:
first a presentation by each student (5-10 min)
and then a two-part exam (multiple-choice and open-ended)

Lectures, one field excursion

English

written

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