CONSERVATION OF WILD FLORA AND VEGETATION

Acquisition of basic knowledge of European, national and regional legislation on wildlife conservation. Knowledge of the main threats to wild flora and natural environments and habitats. Acquisition of the main methods for the conservation of natural floristic and vegetational resources.

1. INTRODUCTION TO BOTANY - Plants and environment. Adaptations and life strategies.

2. WILD FLORA VASCULAR. Flora concept. Biological forms. Geographical distribution of species: ranges and vicariances. Endemism. Adaptations of Mediterranean plants to the environment. Indicator species.

3. VEGETATION. Vegetation Concept. Structure and composition of the vegetation. The phytosociological method. Elaboration of the phytosociological relevés: indirect analysis of the ecological gradients. Dynamism of the vegetation.

4. PHYTOGEOGRAPHY OF SICILY. The Sicilian flora. Threatened species. Safeguard and conservation actions. The red book of plants of Italy.

5. LANDSCAPE UNITS AND SERIES OF VEGETATION. Bioclimate and analysis of the plant landscape of Sicily.

6 AGREEMENTS FOR THE BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION 'AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

7 LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY. Change of land use. Climate changes. Changes in the concentration of CO2 and nitrogen deposition. Exotic species.

8 PRIORITARY HABITAT OF SICILY. The 43/92 EEC Habitat Directive. Ecological networks. SCI/ZPS Management plans for the conservation of natural habitats. Goals and objectives of management plans for SCI of Sicily.

9. IN SITU CONSERVATION. Protected areas. National and Regional Parks. Natural areas. Reserves.

10. EX SITU CONSERVATION. Germplasm for the conservation of the flora. Herbarium, Botanical Garden, germplasm laboratory.

11. FLORISTIC LABORATORY. FIELD EXCURSION.

G. Bacchetta et al. 2006 - Manuale per la raccolta, studio, conservazione e gestione ex situ del germoplasma APAT.

C. Blasi et al. 2005 – Stato della biodiversità in Italia. Ministero dell’Ambiente Direzione per la protezione della Natura. Palombi Editori.

S. Pignatti, P. M. Bianco, G. Fanelli 2001 -. “Le piante come indicatori ambientali. Manuale tecnico-scientifico”. Manuale ANPA

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