AGRONOMIA AMBIENTALE E INERBIMENTI

12 CFU - 1° Semester

Teaching Staff

UMBERTO ANASTASI - Module AGRONOMIA AMBIENTALE ED ECOLOGIA - AGR/02 - 6 CFU
ANTONIO CARLO BARBERA - Module INERBIMENTI NATURALI E ARTIFICIALI - AGR/02 - 6 CFU

Learning Objectives

AGRONOMIA AMBIENTALE ED ECOLOGIA
The aim of the course is to guide students to learn basic knowledge and to acquire skills on the relationship between agriculture and environment through the study of the structure and functions of ecosystems, the organization and ecological design of agro-systems aimed at planning of crop production and the preservation of the territory in Mediterranean-type environment.
INERBIMENTI NATURALI E ARTIFICIALI
The turf in the landscape, in addition to providing beauty to the territory, supports the environment, the society and the economy. The discipline aims to provide students with the elements of agronomic and environmental analysis on the role of grass coverings in a context of safeguarding the territory, the environment and the landscape, with particular reference to the conditions of the Mediterranean environment. Part of the course is aimed at providing agronomic skills on the main herbaceous species used in the turf, as well as knowledge for the design and maintenance of ornamental, sports, technical and recreational turf, taking into account economic, social and environmental needs. .

Course Structure

AGRONOMIA AMBIENTALE ED ECOLOGIA
Lessons (28 hours). Hands-on activities in the form of individual papers or research, working group, and in-depth seminars (28 hours).

If the course will be held in mixed or remote mode, the necessary changes to what was previously stated may be introduced, in order to comply with the planned program reported in the syllabus.

*Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, if the conditions require it.

Information for students with disabilities and/or Learning disorders

To guarantee equal opportunities and in accordance with the current laws, students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the didactic objectives and specific needs.
It is also possible to contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participated Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or Learning disorders) of the Department, prof. Giovanna Tropea Garzia and prof. Anna De Angelis.
INERBIMENTI NATURALI E ARTIFICIALI
Different teaching models will be adopted for teaching based on: frontal lessons which will be accompanied, with the involvement of the class, by a cooperative learning approach with exercises and in-depth seminars. To achieve an ability to apply knowledge, group work is planned with the possible preparation of papers and analysis of case studies. If the teaching is taught remotely or in a mixed way, the necessary changes may be introduced with respect to what was previously stated, in order to comply with the program envisaged and reported in the syllabus.

As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their specific needs and on teaching objectives of the discipline. It is also possible to ask the departmental contacts of CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs), in the persons of professors Giovanna Tropea Garzia and Anna De Angelis.

Detailed Course Content

AGRONOMIA AMBIENTALE ED ECOLOGIA
Presentation of the course.

Basic knowledge of systems theory.

Epistemological basis of ecology and agronomy. Environment-agriculture relationship. The crisis of modern agriculture. The agroecological paradigm for the transition of agriculture towards sustainability.

The ecosystem: structure, functions and evolution. Climax concept. Trophic chains and biogeochemical cycles. Biotope. Biocenosis. The higher plants: recalls of morphology, biology, systematics. Geographical distribution of plant species.

From the ecosystem to the agro-ecosystem. Analysis of the relationships between the abiotic, merobiotic and biotic components of the agroecosystem, and its hierarchical organization (field, farm and territory scale). Effects of anthropic action on the agroecosystem. Productive response of the crops to agronomic factors. Ecosystem services.

The natural factors of plant production (soil, atmosphere, plants): characteristics, functions, agronomic management (arrangement of the land and soil tillage, fertilization, irrigation, control of spontaneous flora, choice of crops and their organization in space and time).

Mediterranean environment (resources and limitations) and climate change.

Comparison between conventional and conservative agricultural models. Agroecological role of agrobiodiversity. Resilient and regenerative agricultural systems on a territorial scale (polyculture, agroselviculture).

The planning of agrosystems on a territorial scale: models, methods and analytical tools.
INERBIMENTI NATURALI E ARTIFICIALI
Role of grassing in ecosystems and agroecosystems. Turf: benefits and functions (types). Review of climate and soil. Functional and visual quality of the turf. The herbaceous turf species and their botanical recognition. Description of species and varieties: microtherms and macrotherms. The associations between species. Interpretation of soil analysis and agronomic interventions (fertilization and amendment) Agronomic design and management of turf (cutting, growth regulators, verticutting, grooming; fertilization, irrigation, adversity). Technical grassing (embankments, landfills, polluted sites, etc.). Sports grassing (golf courses, football fields, racecourses, etc.) and recreational (public and private green).

Textbook Information

AGRONOMIA AMBIENTALE ED ECOLOGIA
1. Ceccon P., Fagnano M. Grignani C., Monti M., Orlandini S. - Agronomia. EdiSES Ed. 2017.

2. Caporali F., Campiglia E., Mancinelli R. - Agroecologia. Teoria e pratica degli agroecosistemi. CittàStudi Ed. 2014.

3. Altieri M.A., Nicholls C.I., Ponti L. - Agroecologia. Una via percorribile per un pianeta in crisi. Edagricole Ed. 2015.

4. Teaching aids provided by the teacher (ppt presentations of the lessons, notes on the topics covered)
INERBIMENTI NATURALI E ARTIFICIALI
1. P. Croce, A. de Luca, M. Falcinelli, F.S. Modestini, F. Veronesi. TAPPETI ERBOSI. Edagricole.

2. Paolo Abram, VERDE PENSILE IN ITALIA E IN EUROPA, Il verde editoriale S.r.l., Milano. ISBN 88-86569-24-6W.

3. Dietl, J. Lehmann, M. Jorquera. LE GRAMINACEE PRATIVE. PATRON EDITORE, BOLOGNA, 2005.

4. David Pycraft. IL PRATO, TAPPETI ERBOSI, PIANTE TAPPEZZANTI, INFESTANTI. ZANICHELLI EDITORE, BOLOGNA, 1989.

5. Nick Christians, FUNDAMENTALS OF TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT, 4th Edition. Wiley, 2011.ISBN:978-0-470-58731-7

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