BIODIVERSITA' E CONSERVAZIONE DELLA FLORA

The Course of Biodiversity and Conservation of the Flora aims to in –depth knowledge of the biodiversoty of terrestrial plants(algae, mycetes, bryophythes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms). The cours has also the aim to talckle the problems of conservation of plant biodiversity in relation to species and autochthonous plant communities of the Mediterranean region, with special reference to Sicily.

Methods and principles of plant systematics. Plant taxonomy: morphological, molecular and phylogenetic approaches. Life cycles. Origin and evolution of the reproductive structures; Functional and evolutionary traits of the gametophytes. Main reproductive strategies. Stelar evolution. Flowers, inflorescences and fruits. Systematics and phylogeny of Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperm, and Angiosperm. Origin and evolution of Angiosperm. Diacritic features of the most relevant Angiorsperm’s families. Laws and conventions on the biodiversity conservations: threatened plants and red lists. IUCN categories and European habitats. In situ conservation. Seed conservation actions and programmes. Alien species. Habitat restoration plans. Monumental trees.

W. S. Judd, C. S. Campbell, E. A. Kellogg, P. F. Stevens "Botanica sistematica: un approccio filogenetico". Ed. Piccin, Padova.
Blasi et al. 2005 – Stato della biodiversità in Italia. Ministero dell’Ambiente Direzione per la protezione della Natura. Palombi Editori.
Bacchetta et al. 2006 - Manuale per la raccolta, studio, conservazione e gestione ex situ del germoplasma APAT –
AA.VV. 2008 Flora da conservare. Informatore Botanico italiano vol. 40 supplemento