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
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.
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.
Reference Bibliography
SANTINI L., CAZZOLLA GATTI R., CHIARUCCI A., DI MARCO M., RONDININI C., 2026. Biologia della Conservazione. Ulrico Hoepli Ed. Milano 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.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).