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
Methodological skills (Knowing how to perform:) ability (in theory and in practice) to (a) correctly carry out red listing procedures (according to the IUCN method) and assessment of the conservation status of flora and fauna at risk of extinction and to (b) monitor at-risk species and know about the main conservation techniques (e.g., legal protection, protected areas, reintroductions, etc.).
SYLLABUS
Threats to plant Biodiversity
- Habitat destruction and fragmentation
- Habitat degradation
- Alien species
- Climate change
Threats assessment – IUCN Red Lists
- Red lists (general information), global, European and Italian red lists
- Guidelines for Using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria
- Application of the Guidelines to real cases
In situ conservation
- Legal protection (EU Directive, Natura 2000, Italian national and regional legislation, USA legislation and Australian legislation), Protected areas in the world
- Restoration Ecology conservation translocation (general information, techniques, extreme translocation)
- Monitoring of threatened species (monitoring techniques of species listed in the Directive 92/43/EEC)
Ex situ plant conservation
- Botanical gardens and seed banks
Class practical acxtivities on red listing
Groom et al., 2012. Principles of Conservation Biology. Third Edition. Sinauer Associates.
For the red listing:
Rossi G., Gentili R., Abeli T., Gargano D., Foggi B., Raimondo F. M., Blasi C., 2008. Flora da conservare. Iniziativa per l’implementazione in Italia delle Categorie e dei Criteri IUCN (2001) per la redazione di nuove Liste Rosse. Informatore Botanico Italiano 40 (1). ISSN-0020-0697.
For conservation translocation:
Rossi G., Amosso C., Orsenigo S., Abeli T., 2013. Linee guida per la traslocazione di specie vegetali spontanee. Quad. Cons. Natura, 28, MATTM – Ist. Sup. Protezione e Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Roma. ISSN 1592-2901.
For species monitoring:
Giacanelli V., Conti F., Bartolucci F., Ercole S., T. Abeli T., Aleffi M., Gargano D., Ravera S. 2016. Le specie vegetali di direttiva in Italia. In: Ercole S., Giacanelli V., Bacchetta G., Fenu G., Genovesi P. (ed.), 2016. Manuali per il monitoraggio di specie e habitat di interesse comunitario (Direttiva 92/43/CEE) in Italia: specie vegetali. ISPRA, Serie Manuali e linee guida, 140/2016.
Programme
Cultural skills (Knowledge of:) the course provides the conceptual basis for understanding (a) the ecological and genetic principles as applied to biodiversity conservation problems (b) the set of problems related to the interaction between human activities and natural environmentsMethodological skills (Knowing how to perform:) ability (in theory and in practice) to (a) correctly carry out red listing procedures (according to the IUCN method) and assessment of the conservation status of flora and fauna at risk of extinction and to (b) monitor at-risk species and know about the main conservation techniques (e.g., legal protection, protected areas, reintroductions, etc.).
SYLLABUS
Threats to plant Biodiversity
- Habitat destruction and fragmentation
- Habitat degradation
- Alien species
- Climate change
Threats assessment – IUCN Red Lists
- Red lists (general information), global, European and Italian red lists
- Guidelines for Using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria
- Application of the Guidelines to real cases
In situ conservation
- Legal protection (EU Directive, Natura 2000, Italian national and regional legislation, USA legislation and Australian legislation), Protected areas in the world
- Restoration Ecology conservation translocation (general information, techniques, extreme translocation)
- Monitoring of threatened species (monitoring techniques of species listed in the Directive 92/43/EEC)
Ex situ plant conservation
- Botanical gardens and seed banks
Class practical acxtivities on red listing
Core Documentation
For the general topics:Groom et al., 2012. Principles of Conservation Biology. Third Edition. Sinauer Associates.
For the red listing:
Rossi G., Gentili R., Abeli T., Gargano D., Foggi B., Raimondo F. M., Blasi C., 2008. Flora da conservare. Iniziativa per l’implementazione in Italia delle Categorie e dei Criteri IUCN (2001) per la redazione di nuove Liste Rosse. Informatore Botanico Italiano 40 (1). ISSN-0020-0697.
For conservation translocation:
Rossi G., Amosso C., Orsenigo S., Abeli T., 2013. Linee guida per la traslocazione di specie vegetali spontanee. Quad. Cons. Natura, 28, MATTM – Ist. Sup. Protezione e Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Roma. ISSN 1592-2901.
For species monitoring:
Giacanelli V., Conti F., Bartolucci F., Ercole S., T. Abeli T., Aleffi M., Gargano D., Ravera S. 2016. Le specie vegetali di direttiva in Italia. In: Ercole S., Giacanelli V., Bacchetta G., Fenu G., Genovesi P. (ed.), 2016. Manuali per il monitoraggio di specie e habitat di interesse comunitario (Direttiva 92/43/CEE) in Italia: specie vegetali. ISPRA, Serie Manuali e linee guida, 140/2016.
Type of delivery of the course
This is a lecture-based course taught by dedicated teachers. In addition, in-class seminars will be offered by important scientists in the field of conservation biology (also remotely via Skype). The course include field excursions and practical activities of red listing and study of rare and threatened species.Type of evaluation
Exam consists of three parts as described below: - a written multiple-choice test (max 20 points) - an exercise of red listing of a plant species (max 5 points) - a short presentation (5 minutes), with the support of a Power Point presentation, that deepne one of the zoological topics treated during the course. teacher profile teaching materials
1) Threats to Animal Biodiversity
a. Habitat destruction and fragmentation
b. Habitat degradation
c. Alien species
e. Extinctions - mass extinctions in the past and 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 and population fragmentation (theory of biogeography of islands, theories of metapopulation biology)
d. Population vulnerability 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) Animal species in situ conservation
a. Legal protection (EU Directive, Natura 2000, Italian national and regional legislation, USA legislation and Australian legislation), Protected areas in the world
b. Restoration Ecology conservation translocation (general information, techniques, extreme translocation)
c. Monitoring of threatened species (techniques and monitoring of species listed in the Directive 92/43/EEC)
5) Animal species ex situ conservation
a. Zoo and aquariums - ex situ and in situ conservation interface
6) Emerging 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
Programme
SYLLABUS1) Threats to Animal Biodiversity
a. Habitat destruction and fragmentation
b. Habitat degradation
c. Alien species
e. Extinctions - mass extinctions in the past and 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 and population fragmentation (theory of biogeography of islands, theories of metapopulation biology)
d. Population vulnerability 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) Animal species in situ conservation
a. Legal protection (EU Directive, Natura 2000, Italian national and regional legislation, USA legislation and Australian legislation), Protected areas in the world
b. Restoration Ecology conservation translocation (general information, techniques, extreme translocation)
c. Monitoring of threatened species (techniques and monitoring of species listed in the Directive 92/43/EEC)
5) Animal species ex situ conservation
a. Zoo and aquariums - ex situ and in situ conservation interface
6) Emerging 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
Reference Bibliography
FURTHER READINGS: Recent scientific articles on specific topics provided by the professor.Type of delivery of the course
This is a lecture-based course taught by dedicated teachers. In addition, in-class seminars will be offered by important scientists in the field of conservation biology (also remotely 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.