The forms of vegetation and the landscape. Ecological requirements of the plants. The most important features of the plants in the conquest of resources and space.
Gaston K.J. 1996 Biodiversity : a biology of numbers and difference. Blackwell Science, Cambridge
Grime J. P. 2001 Plant strategies, Vegetation processes and Ecosystem properties. J. Wiley & Sons., Chichester.
Jongman R.H.G., Braak ter C.J.F. & Tongeren van O.F.R. 1987 Data analysis in community and landscape ecology. Pudoc, Wageningen
Ladle R. J., Whittaker R. J. (Editor) 2011 Conservation Biogeography Wiley-Blackwell
Some articles and web documents quoted in the lectures
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired:
The requirements of the plants fro light, water and temperature. Morpho-functional models according Grime. Sample methods of plant diversity. Formal diversity, functional diversity, species diversity.
Competence acquired
Understanding the different type of strategies among plants and animals. Undrstandng of the forms and functions in the plants. Understanding of the methods for sampling the plant diversity and the statistical methods for the elaboration.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
Skills to chose the better methods to sampling the plant diversity in function of the problems solving.
Prerequisites
Courses to be used as requirements (required and/or recommended)
Courses recommmended: Botanica, Ecologia, Vegetation Science
Teaching Methods
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...): (hours) 75
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 10
Contact hours for: Laboratory-field/practice (hours): 10
Seminars: (hours) 4
Further information
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab:
Not required but recommended
Type of Assessment
Oral exam with a written report on a topic to chose
Course program
The course aims to provide the basis for the choice of the appropriate method for detection of plant diversity depending on the problem to be solved. Diversity is understood in the forms of plants (trees, shrubs, herbs, etc ...) and species richness and diversity.
Part of the course will only be made on a case study. On this topic will focus part of the examination.