BIODIVERSITA' E CONSERVAZIONE DELLA FLORA

BIO/02 - 6 CFU - 1° Semester

Teaching Staff

ANTONIA EGIDIA CRISTAUDO


Learning Objectives

The aim is understanding the biodiversity of terrestrial plants (bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms) and to tackle the problems of their conservation. A special regard is devoted to native plant species and communities of the Mediterranean region, with particular reference to Sicily.


Course Structure

The course will be carried out through lectures supported by power point presentations and field works.



Detailed Course Content

Biodiversity, plant adaptation and evolution. Main classification systems. Plant taxonomy. Plant diversity in the light of evolution. Methods and principles of systematics. Phylogenetic systematics. Evolution and diversification of Trachaephytes. Angiosperm phylogeny. Main features of the most representatives families of Angiosperm. Origin and evolution of the Mediterranean flora.

Plants conservation needs. Laws and conventions on biodiversity protection. Threatened flora and red lists; the categories of risk. Species and habitats of European Community interest. Invasive alien species. Renaturation interventions. Monumental trees. In situ and ex situ conservation and management of plant germplasm. Seed banks. Examples of national and European co-ordination networks of germplasm banks. Techniques for the conservation of seeds in the short and long term. Germination test, seed quality control.



Textbook Information

  1. Willis K.J., McElwain J.C. 2002: The evolution of plants. Oxford University Press, Oxford
  2. Thompson J.D. 2005: Plant Evolution in the Mediterranean. Oxford University Press, Oxford
  3. Judd et al. 2007: Botanica Sistematica. Un approccio filogenetico. Piccin.
  4. Soltis et al. 2005: APG Phylogeny and evolution of Angiosperms. Sinauer.
  5. AA.VV. 2009: APG III. An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants. Bot. J. Linn. Society.
  6. Grassi F., Labra M., Sala F. Introduzione alla biodiversita' del mondo vegetale. PICCIN
  7. Bacchetta et al. 2006 - Manuale per la raccolta, studio, conservazione e gestione ex situ del germoplasma APAT
  8. Manuale ENSCONET per la raccolta dei semi delle piante spontanee
  9. ENSCONET Protocolli di trattamento & Raccomandazioni
  10. Linee guida per la traslocazione di specie vegetali spontanee



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