Unit WATER RESOURCES AND FRESH WATER ECOSYSTEMS
- Course
- Earth science and environment
- Study-unit Code
- A004570
- Curriculum
- In all curricula
- Teacher
- Lucio Di Matteo
- CFU
- 12
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2024
- Offered
- 2025/26
- Type of study-unit
- Obbligatorio (Required)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa integrata
FRESH WATER ECOSYSTEMS
| Code | A004571 |
|---|---|
| CFU | 6 |
| Teacher | Massimo Lorenzoni |
| Teachers |
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| Hours |
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| Learning activities | Affine/integrativa |
| Area | Attività formative affini o integrative |
| Sector | BIO/07 |
| Type of study-unit | Obbligatorio (Required) |
| Language of instruction | Italian |
| Contents | General ecology topics and definitions. Differences between the subaerial and aquatic environments. Biodiversity. Definition of fresh waters. Organisms of aquatic environments. Lotic environments. The biological populaments of running waters. Theories of river ecology. Effects of flow reduction on aquatic organisms. Variations of the hydrological regime on aquatic organisms. Bioindicators. Methods of estimating the ecological flow of watercourses with biological methods. Lentic environments. The biological populaments of lentic waters. The characteristics of the main Italian lakes. Morphometric analysis of a lake. Thermic characteristics of a lake. Lake zonation. Trophic evolution of a lake. |
| Reference texts | Bettinetti R., G. Crosa, S. Galassi. 2007. Ecologia delle acque interne. Edizioni CittàStudi. Some slides and papers concerning the arguments will be provided by the teacher. |
| Educational objectives | This course gives a detailed understanding of biodiversity and ecology of freshwater systems: it aims to develop their understanding of the principles and concepts of aquatic biology, and to provide students with an insight into the complexities of managing aquatic habitats. As well as gaining a broad understanding of ecological sciences, students also study organisms in their natural environment: from plankton to freshwater fish and from mountain streams to lowland lakes. The course covers the ecology of freshwater systems, as well as aspects of management and the nature of threats to aquatic systems, including pollution and eutrophication control. There is an element of great practice of this course which includes some field exercises to learn ecology (biotic and abiotic factors) of watercourses of the catchment of the river Tiber. |
| Prerequisites | Knowledge of general ecology |
| Teaching methods | Teaching methods consist of classrooms lectures and field trips. Following is a brief description of the teaching methods: - Classroom lectures: the topics are illustrated to the students with examples that concern the Italian situation with in particular emphasis on the Tiber river basin. During the lessons, students will be encouraged to participate in the discussion with questions and requests for opinions regarding the issues discussed . - field trips and and laboratory exercises: students are involved in activities relating to the problems of monitoring the abiotic and biotic characteristics of aquatic ecosystems. |
| Other information | The attendance of teaching activities is optional but strongly advised. |
| Learning verification modality | The examination consists of an oral test covering the various topics illustrated during the course. The objective of the teaching assessment is to ascertain the student's knowledge and ability to solve and communicate problems related to the functioning, managing and monitoring aquatic ecosystems, examining both theoretical and practical aspects. For information on support services for students with disabilities and/or DSA visit http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa. |
| Extended program | Basic ecology topics and definitions. Ecological systems. Biosphere. Environment and medium. Differences between the subaerial and aquatic environment. Relationships of organisms with the environment. Conditions and resources. Biodiversity. Population and Community. Trophic structure of communities: food chains and food networks; trophic levels. Flows of matter and energy in ecological systems. Primary productivity; secondary productivity. Biogeochemical cycles. Definition of fresh waters. Differences between lotic and lentic environments. Ecological categories of organisms in aquatic environments. Lotic environments. Springs and biological populaments. Environmental variations along the longitudinal profile of a river. The biological populaments of running waters. Fish zonation. River Continuum Concept. Primary production in flowing waters. Debris and grazing chains. Effects of disturbances on aquatic communities. Extreme events. The effects of extreme floods on aquatic organisms. r and K selection in aquatic environments. Flood Pulse Concept. Effects of flow reduction on living organisms. Bioindicators. Methods of estimating the ecological flow of watercourses with biological methods. Lentic environments. Lakes, ponds, swamps. The characteristics of the main Italian lakes. Morphometric analysis of a lake. Thermic characteristics of a lake. Thermic stratification. Oxygen trend as a function of depth. Extinction of light. The biological populaments of lentic waters. Lake zonation. Primary productivity. Trophic evolution of a lake. Changes in fish communities during the trophic evolution of lakes. Eutrophication and pollution. Biomanipulation of trophic chains. Artificial reservoirs. Differences compared to natural lakes. The biological populations of artificial reservoirs. |
WATER RESOURCES
| Code | 80023103 |
|---|---|
| CFU | 6 |
| Teacher | Lucio Di Matteo |
| Teachers |
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| Hours |
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| Learning activities | Caratterizzante |
| Area | Discipline geomorfologiche e geologico-applicative |
| Sector | GEO/05 |
| Type of study-unit | Obbligatorio (Required) |
| Language of instruction | Italian |
| Contents | The water cycle and water budget. Surface (SW) and groundwater (GW) resources. Measurement and estimation techniques of the river discharge. River hydrogram analysis. GW-SW interactions. Aquifers, water tables and springs. Climate change and anthropogenic pressure: effects on water resources. Reconstruction and analysis of hydrogeological thematic maps. Water use and water management in Italy and Europe. The role of hydrogeology in the definition of the Ecological Flow (EF) of rivers. |
| Reference texts | Civita M. Idrogeologia applicata e ambientale. Ed. CEA, 800 pp. ISBN: 9788808087416. Some slides and papers concerning the arguments will be provided by the teacher. |
| Educational objectives | The course aims to provide students with the theoretical and practical knowledge to understand and manage surface and groundwater water resources. In detail, students will acquire the following knowledge and skills: - on methods and techniques to acquire hydrogeological data, also to support the realisation of anthropic works; - on the methods and techniques for acquiring quantitative information in the hydro-environmental field; - on the role of water in sustaining habitats and its chemical-physical properties; - on the drafting of hydrogeological thematic maps (maps of hydrogeological complexes, piezometric maps, etc.); - on how to manage, enhance and safeguard the water resource; - on the effects of anthropic activities on water availability and the environment; - on the technologies and processes involved in ecological transition and sustainable development, particularly regarding water resources. The main skills for applying knowledge and understanding will be: - to know how to collect, organise and interpret with autonomy and methodological rigour information of a hydrogeological-environmental nature, also for practical purposes; - to know how to use specific methods to carry out laboratory and/or field investigations/analyses; - knowing how to assess the components of the water budget and river dynamics processes; - knowing how to put the scientific method into practice in the analysis of hydrogeological processes; - knowing how to monitor hydrogeological systems for land protection; - knowing how to analyse the water-related landscape to define methods and tools for its protection; - knowing how to apply multidisciplinary knowledge and techniques for environmental protection and conservation of the territory; - to know how to manage water resources for the protection of ecosystems sustainably; - knowing how to apply multidisciplinary knowledge and techniques to safeguard and protect the territory's environment. |
| Prerequisites | In order to attend lectures successfully, the student must have a basic knowledge of geology and the physical processes that influence the land and landscape. |
| Teaching methods | Teaching consists of classroom lectures and field trips. Specific seminars will involve some technicians of local government authorities dealing with management of water resources. Following is a brief description of teaching methods: - Classroom lectures: the topics are presented to students who are stimulated and involved during the lessons with questions and opinions on the issues discussed, also through the illustration of selected case studies. - Field trip: students are involved in some field and lab experiences concerning the hydrogeological problems and monitoring. |
| Other information | The attendance of teaching activities is optional but strongly advised. |
| Learning verification modality | The examination consists of an oral test covering the various topics illustrated during the course. The objective of the teaching assessment is to ascertain the student's knowledge and ability to solve and communicate problems related to managing and monitoring water resources, examining both theoretical and practical aspects. For information on support services for students with disabilities and/or DSA visit http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa. |
| Extended program | - Hydrogeological characteristics of rocks. - Water in the soil and subsoil and its role in the environment and society. - The water cycle and water budget: estimation and measurement of the main components. - Support and reliability of remotely acquired data (satellite data). The Copernicus and NASA hydro-meteorological data platforms. - Surface and groundwater resources. Characteristics of surface water bodies (rivers and lakes) and types of alimentation. - River discharge measurement and estimation techniques. The monitoring network of the Umbria Region. - Analysis of the hydrogram: comparison of historical series of rivers with different types of supply. Methods for separating base flow from surface flow. Flow duration curves. - Interaction between groundwater and surface water. Climate change and its impact on water resources. - Aquifers: analysis of groundwater circulation and determination of hydrogeological parameters (illustration of possible approaches). Aquifers: characteristics and types. Darcy's law and its applications. - Thematic cartography: maps of hydrogeological complexes and reconstruction of piezometric maps. - Springs: evaluation of water volumes by hydrogram analysis. The ARPA Umbria springs monitoring network. - Water use in Italy and Europe. Water management and the Regional Water Protection Plans (PTA). The role of the District Authorities in Italy. Focus on drinking water resources. - Hydrogeology's role in defining the Ecological Flow of rivers. |
| Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile | 6 - Clean water and sanitation. 7 - Clean and sustainable energy. 9 - Industry, inovation and infrastructure. 12 - Sustainable consumption and production. 13 - Climate action. |