Biology

COURSE DESCRIPTION Evolution and conservation of plant diversity is a theoretical-practical course that explores the evolutionary and conservation aspects of the diversity of terrestrial plants in the context of the natural history. It addresses the existing plant diversity from a systematic, phylogenetic and biogeographical point of view and provides the tools and methods to identify and describe plant species, understand their distribution on earth and identify their position in the phylogeny of terrestrial plants. The course also provides basic knowledge of the theory of conservation strategies, enhancement and sustainable use of plant resources with particular reference to the flora of Italy. TOPICS of the LESSONS • Generalities about plant biodiversity and evolutionary trends • Phylogenetic relationships in the main groups of vascular plants • Types of diversity: alpha, beta, gamma • Principles of molecular ecology, traditional and molecular paleoecology • Vegetable dynamism • Main orders, families and genera of Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons • Essential tools for the recognition of the main groups of plants and in particular of the species indicative of the Mediterranean vascular flora • Notes of phytosociology • Use of analytical keys for the determination of the most characteristic species of the Italian vascular flora • Conventions on the protection of plant biodiversity and notes on the regulatory framework (EU Habitat Directive) • Loss of habitat and species extinction • Red lists of threatened flora • In situ and ex situ conservation strategies • Protected areas, botanical gardens, germplasm banks, herbaria • Regional examples of measures taken for the in situ and ex situ conservation of species at risk of extinction • Preparation of a herbarium.

A good knowledge of general biology and plant biology in particular, a basic knowledge of sistematic botany, genetics and the theory of evolution is useful.

TEXT BOOKS recommended Four references to the general principles of systematics and plant biodiversity that should be consulted are: - Judd WS, Campbell CS, Kellogg EA, Stevens PF, Donoghue MJ. Botanica sistematica – Un approccio filogenetico. Piccin - Pasqua G. Abbate G. Forni C. Botanica generale e diversità vegetale Piccin- 2019 - Pignatti S. Flora d’Italia. Edagricole. Bologna- 2017 - Primack RB. Boitani L. - Biologia della conservazione. Zanichelli – 2013

The course consists of about 18-20 theoretical lessons followed by practical exercises with visits to the botanical garden of Rome and the experimental garden of Sapienza and by one or two botanical excursions.The preparation of a herbarium is also included: Sampling, Preparation of samples, Essiccation, Assembly and storage, Identification of the collected samples

The lessons provide an overview of the main topics. Attendance at lessons is not compulsory but it is desirable: frequent absences result in a lesser ability to answer exam questions.

An intermediate project with a brief (10 min) final presentation (or alternatively the setting up and presentation of a herbarium) (25%), and an oral exam (75%) verify the student's understanding of the topics of the course as covered during lectures, both in the assigned readings and in discussions and seminars.

OTHER RESOURCES -Lista rossa della flora Italiana, Comitato italiano IUCN. - La flora in Italia, Blasi C, Biondi E. - An updated checklist of the vascular flora native to Italy, Bartolucci et al. 2018 - An updated checklist of the vascular flora alien to Italy, Galasso et al. 2018 WEB SOURCES -Acta Plantarum URL: https://www.actaplantarum.org. -Il portale della Fora d’Italia URL: http://dryades.units.it/floritaly/index.php. -Angiosperm Phylogeny Group URL: http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/welcome.html -World Flora Online (WFO) www.worldfloraonline.org -Unione internazionale Conservazione Natura (IUCN) URL: https://www.iucnredlist.org

48 hours Frontal lessons approximately 40 hours Field exercises and training activities 8-10 hours The course includes about 20 two-hour lectures, an individual project with a brief (10 min) oral presentation (or alternatively the assembly and presentation of a herbarium), visits and practical exercises to be carried out at the Sapienza Experimental Garden, the Sapienza Herbarium Museum, and the Botanical Garden of Rome and a field trip.