APPLIED ECOLOGY

a) Biological and ecological aspects in national and European legislation (D.Lgv.152/99 Italian Legislative Decree; directive 2000/60/EC; law 92/99) (macrodescriptors, biological indices, river functionality index, index of germinability, outline of toxicology-glossary) (6 hours)

b) Heterotrophic systems (purification plant) and autotrophic/heterotrophic systems (phytopurification): hydraulic characteristics and biological processes; biogeochemical cycles; structure of communities; functionality indicators and indices; glossary (6 hours)

c) Multiple Criteria Analysis: an approach for the evaluation of systems and the elaboration of indices (naturality, risk, naturalistic value, glossary); evaluative criteria within the scope of Natura 2000 Network and Bioitaly (6 hours)

d) Minimum Vital Flow (MVF): history and evolution of methods; exclusively hydraulic approaches (duration curves) and biological-hydraulic approaches (suitability curves, weighted available area, wet perimeter); additional ecological considerations (fragmentation of habitats, isolation, density dependent factors, variations in physico-chemical characteristics) glossary (6 hours)

e) Simulation of a basin investigation for water reclamation in order to reintroduce the barbel: the modelling of an ecological system in excel environment (flow rates, temperature, dilution effect, offtakes for irrigation purposes, removal of loads) (6 hours)

f) Energy production: environmental costs of using fuels (example of a gas power station with combined cycle and of a renewable biomass power station); analysis of risks and benefits; renewable sources and impact on the landscape (2 hours)

g) North/South imbalances: ecology and economy compared - the predictivity of complex systems; ecological imprint (4 hours);

h) Field and laboratory analyses: macrodescriptors, EBI (Extended Biotic Index) application, IFF (river/fluvial functionality index) application; flow rate measurements (8 hours)