It is intended to gain solid skills on the techniques of monitoring and evaluation of environmental stress, together with their methodological and conceptual bases. In its more applied side, the course introduces some bioengineering techniques such as phytoremediation and plant ecological restoration.

Theoretical lessons

1. Plant responses to stress. Stress theory: resistance, acclimation, adaptation, plasticity. Abiotic stress: temperature, drought, flooding, salinity, nutrients, high irradiance, low irradiance, UVB, fire. Biotic stress: pathogens, herbivores, parasitism, symbiosis. Ecophysiological implications. Environmental stress in the Basque Country.

2. Plant response to soil and atmospheric pollution. Atmospheric pollution: sulphur and nitrogen oxides, ozone, VOCs. Soil pollution: heavy metals, radioisotopes, organic pollutants. Climate change: direct effects of CO2, indirect effects. Other sources of pollution: nitrates, urban lights,… Situation in the Basque Country.

3. Elements of plant diagnosis. Alteration of basic physiological processes: photosynthesis, transpiration, transport. Stress proteins. Stress metabolites: antioxidants. Stress-related genes. Cell integrity. Oxidative damage.

4. Plants as stress bio-indicators. Biomarkers: types and meaning. Monitoring and indicator organisms. Non-destructive measurements: photosynthesis, fluorescence, water relations. Destructive measurements: metabolite analysis, essential element contents, metal accumulation.

5. Phytoremediation: concept and situation in the Basque Country. Metalophytes. Exclussors and Hyperacummulators. Basic techniques: phytoextraction, phytostabilization, rhizofiltration, phytovolatilization. Plants to mitigate climate change. Other applications. Some examples.

6. Principles and protocols of plant restoration. Techniques and basic concepts of restoration: restoration, regeneration, rehabilitation, recovery. Basic techniques and requirements for restoration of: populations of endangered species, linear infrastructures, intertidal zones, rivers, protected areas, burned areas.



Practical lessons

7. Techniques to model and measure environmental stress in plants. Examples of metabolite analysis (ascorbate), physiological processes (chlorophyll fluorescence) and cellular integrity. Study of stress sensitive and tolerant ecotypes.

8. Field trip related to the theoretical contents. Plant evaluation by visual and physiological indicators. In situ observation of restoration procedures.

9. Critical analysis of a restoration or phytoremediation project similar to those studied in the course (phytoremediation, restoration, species recovery).

The evaluation of the subject will be through a mixed system. The qualification of the subject will be composed of several criteria and will be proportional to the number of credits of each type of teaching. Specifically, the lectures (60% of the total credits) will be evaluated through a theoretical exam (A) and continuous assessment/evaluation (B) The practice (laboratory and field work and the seminars (remaining 40%) will be evaluated by a exam(C) and by the qualifications of seminars and practice questionnaires and reports (D). The final qualification is calculated as follows: final qualification = 0,5*A+0,1*B+0,1*C+0,3*D

-Lab coat
-Field boots/SHOES

Basic bibliography

• Schulze E-D, Beck E, Müller-Hohenstein K (2002) Plant Ecology. Springer.

• Pugnaire, F. I. y Valladares, F. (1999) Handbook of Functional Plant Ecology. Marcel Dekker Inc. New York.

• Lambers, H; Chapin; F.S. y Pons, T.L. (1999) Plant Physiological Ecology Springer.

• Prasad, MNV (1997) Plant Ecophysiology. John Wiley and Sons.

• Basra A.S, Basra R.K. (Ed) (1997). Mechanisms of Environmental stress resistance in plants. Harwood Academic Publishers.

• Jones, H.G.; Flowers, T.J. & Jones, M.B. (ed). (1992) Plants under stress. Cambridge Univ. Press ISBN 0521-

• Larcher W. (ed). (1995) Physiological plant ecology. Springer

• McKersie, B.D. & Leshem, Y. (1994) Stress and stress coping in cultivated plants. Kluwer Academic Publishers.

• Falk, D.A.; Palmer, M.A.; Zedler, J.B. (2006) Foundations of restoration ecology. Society of Restoration Ecology. IslandPress.

In-depth bibliography

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Journals

Ecosistemas.