General aims of the course are to provide a sound scientific understanding of the global threats affecting biodiversity and the main techniques to halt or reverse the loss of biodiversity.
Particularly, at the end of the course attendants are expected to have theoretical and practical knowledge on the IUCN red listing procedure, on the assessment of the conservation status of flora and fauna, on the monitoring of threatened species and on the main conservation techniques (e.g. legal protection, protected areas, reintroduction, etc.).
Particularly, at the end of the course attendants are expected to have theoretical and practical knowledge on the IUCN red listing procedure, on the assessment of the conservation status of flora and fauna, on the monitoring of threatened species and on the main conservation techniques (e.g. legal protection, protected areas, reintroduction, etc.).
teacher profile teaching materials
1) Threats to biodiversity from a zoological perspective.
a. Levels of biodiversity and the species concept
b. Degradation, destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats
c. Alien species, the biology of invasions.
d. Extinctions-mass extinctions in the past, current extinction rate
2) Conservation genetics
a. Problems in the conservation of genetic diversity
b. Minimum viable populations and PVA (population viability analysis).
c. Habitat fragmentation and population fragmentation (island biogeography theory, metapopulation biology theories)
d. Vulnerability of populations and extinction processes
3) Animal species threats assessment– IUCN Red Lists
a. Red lists (general information), global, European and Italian red lists
b. Guidelines for Using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria
c. Application of the Guidelines to real cases
4) In situ conservation in animal species
a. Translocations, reintroduction techniques: generalities, genetics and conservation
b. Monitoring of endangered species (general monitoring techniques and monitoring under Directive 92/43/EEC)
5) Ex situ conservation in animal species.
a. Zoos and aquariums - ex situ and in situ conservation interface.
b. Reproduction in captivity and effects on genetics. Adaptation to captivity.
c. Ex-situ conservation and animal welfare.
6) Emerging trends in conservation biology.
a. Key questions in conservation biology and emerging issues in conservation biology
b. Trends in conservation biology.
- Groom, M. J., Meffe, G. K., Carroll, C. R., & Andelman, S. J. (2006). Principles of conservation biology. Sunderland: Sinauer Associates.
- Hunter Jr, M. L., & Gibbs, J. P. (2006). Fundamentals of conservation biology. John Wiley & Sons.
The professor receives by appointment via email: monica.carosi@uniroma3.it
Mutuazione: 20410733 Biologia della conservazione in Biodiversità e Tutela dell'Ambiente LM-6 R CAROSI MONICA, CUTINI MAURIZIO
Programme
SYLLABUS1) Threats to biodiversity from a zoological perspective.
a. Levels of biodiversity and the species concept
b. Degradation, destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats
c. Alien species, the biology of invasions.
d. Extinctions-mass extinctions in the past, current extinction rate
2) Conservation genetics
a. Problems in the conservation of genetic diversity
b. Minimum viable populations and PVA (population viability analysis).
c. Habitat fragmentation and population fragmentation (island biogeography theory, metapopulation biology theories)
d. Vulnerability of populations and extinction processes
3) Animal species threats assessment– IUCN Red Lists
a. Red lists (general information), global, European and Italian red lists
b. Guidelines for Using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria
c. Application of the Guidelines to real cases
4) In situ conservation in animal species
a. Translocations, reintroduction techniques: generalities, genetics and conservation
b. Monitoring of endangered species (general monitoring techniques and monitoring under Directive 92/43/EEC)
5) Ex situ conservation in animal species.
a. Zoos and aquariums - ex situ and in situ conservation interface.
b. Reproduction in captivity and effects on genetics. Adaptation to captivity.
c. Ex-situ conservation and animal welfare.
6) Emerging trends in conservation biology.
a. Key questions in conservation biology and emerging issues in conservation biology
b. Trends in conservation biology.
Core Documentation
RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK:- Groom, M. J., Meffe, G. K., Carroll, C. R., & Andelman, S. J. (2006). Principles of conservation biology. Sunderland: Sinauer Associates.
- Hunter Jr, M. L., & Gibbs, J. P. (2006). Fundamentals of conservation biology. John Wiley & Sons.
The professor receives by appointment via email: monica.carosi@uniroma3.it
Type of delivery of the course
This is a lecture-based course taught by dedicated teachers. In addition, in-class seminars might be offered by distinguished scientists in the field of conservation biology (as webinars, if necessary). The course includes an excursion to the Bioparco of Rome for a direct experience of ex-situ conservation cases.Type of evaluation
Final exam on the zoological part of the course will entail a written exam with both open and multiple choice questions, and the presentation of a power point on a specific case study for an animal taxon. teacher profile teaching materials
Biodiversity conservation. Biological diversity across space and time; biodiversity estimates and measurements. The phenomenon of extinction and its causes. Keystone, umbrella, flagship, and indicator species. Minimum Viable Population and Minimum Dynamic Area. Issues affecting small populations, effective population size, and the Extinction Vortex.
Threats to biodiversity. Climate change, habitat degradation and fragmentation, overexploitation of populations, and biological invasions.
Conservation strategies, solutions, and tools. Approaches to population conservation; species conservation status (Red Lists and IUCN categories). In situ and ex situ conservation strategies. Conservation at the community and ecosystem levels; protected areas and their classification.
Conservation organizations, agreements, and legislation.
DELORT R., WALTER F., 2002. Storia dell’ambiente europeo. Ed. Dedalo, Bari.
GROOM M.J., MEFFE G.K., RONALD CARROLL C., 2006. Principles of Conservation Biology. 3th ed. Sinauer Ass. Ed.
PRIMACK R.B. & BOITANI L., 2013. Biologia della Conservazione. Zanichelli, 2a ed.
Mutuazione: 20410733 Biologia della conservazione in Biodiversità e Tutela dell'Ambiente LM-6 R CAROSI MONICA, CUTINI MAURIZIO
Programme
From the Neolithic Revolution to contemporary humankind: the emergence of environmental awareness and the development of a conservation culture. The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Limits to development and the origins of modern conservation. Aims and ethical principles of Conservation Biology, its modern approach, and its relationship with other disciplines.Biodiversity conservation. Biological diversity across space and time; biodiversity estimates and measurements. The phenomenon of extinction and its causes. Keystone, umbrella, flagship, and indicator species. Minimum Viable Population and Minimum Dynamic Area. Issues affecting small populations, effective population size, and the Extinction Vortex.
Threats to biodiversity. Climate change, habitat degradation and fragmentation, overexploitation of populations, and biological invasions.
Conservation strategies, solutions, and tools. Approaches to population conservation; species conservation status (Red Lists and IUCN categories). In situ and ex situ conservation strategies. Conservation at the community and ecosystem levels; protected areas and their classification.
Conservation organizations, agreements, and legislation.
Core Documentation
SANTINI L., CAZZOLLA GATTI R., CHIARUCCI A., DI MARCO M., RONDININI C., 2026. Biologia della Conservazione. Ulrico Hoepli Ed. MilanoDELORT R., WALTER F., 2002. Storia dell’ambiente europeo. Ed. Dedalo, Bari.
GROOM M.J., MEFFE G.K., RONALD CARROLL C., 2006. Principles of Conservation Biology. 3th ed. Sinauer Ass. Ed.
PRIMACK R.B. & BOITANI L., 2013. Biologia della Conservazione. Zanichelli, 2a ed.
Attendance
Attendance at lectures and seminars is strongly recommended.Type of evaluation
Learning is assessed through an oral examination lasting approximately 30 minutes. The examination covers the topics addressed during the course and a short research project prepared by each candidate (and presented as a concise PowerPoint presentation, based on a scientific paper selected from a relevant specialist journal).