Environmental Monitoring and Recovery

Part 1. Biological Diversity Meaning of biodiversity and its value for humanity. Direct and indirect values. Definitions and scales of biological diversity. Genetic, specific and ecosystem diversity. Structural and functional diversity. Alpha, beta and gamma diversity. Indices for the measurement of biological diversity. Global diversity: known species, estimated number of species. Cryptic species and endemism. Origin of biodiversity: influence of geodiversity, hypothesis of stability of environmental conditions and optimal disturbance. Examples related to natural and anthropic ecosystems. Biodiversity hot spots. Part 2. The decline of biodiversity The decline of biodiversity and the sixth extinction. Extinction as a natural and anthropogenic process. The biodiversity crisis. Local and global phenomena. The Gaia hypothesis. Concept of global change. Destruction and alteration of habitats. Habitat consumption, fragmentation and margin effect. Forest management and biodiversity. Transformation of production processes in agriculture. Traditional and intensive agriculture, abandonment. Fires. Pollution: main types and impacts. Acid rain. Thinning of the ozone layer. Global warming: causes, dynamics and impacts on organisms and major ecosystems. Excessive harvesting of wild species. Sustainability of collection and management of fauna. Poaching. The trafficking of wildlife taken illegally. The Washington Convention (CITES): structure, applications and Italian situation. Cloning and endangered species. Introduction of alien species. Definition of alien species and biological invader. Characteristics and dynamics of biological invasions. Italian, European and extra-European case studies. Part 3. Management of protected areas Size and configuration of protected areas. Applications of the islands biogeography theory to the designation of a protected area. Effect of the distance between areas and size. The SLOSS problem (Single Large or Several Small). Conservation role of large and small areas. Perimeter of protected areas. Perimeter and margin effect. Landscape ecology and designation of protected areas. Effect of the matrix. Connectivity. Continuous and discontinuous biological corridors (stepping stones). Meaning of the spatial scale of the corridors. Biological Corridors and global warming: the problem of the displacement of distribution areas and "assisted migration." Ecological networks and their functionality. Protected Areas in Italy. European directives "Birds" (79/409) and "Habitat" (92/43). Designation of SPA and SIC. Natura 2000 network. Management of Natura 2000 sites. The impact assessment. Management Plans. The system of Italian protected areas. Zoning, areas of external protection. Management principles for parks and reserves. Red Lists. Role of the IUCN. Preserve species or environments? In situ and ex situ conservation. Action plans with Italian examples. Introduction, repopulation and reintroduction. The conflict between predators and human activities: analysis of the phenomenon and management strategies. Management of the main species of ungulates on the Italian territory. Key concepts for reintroduction and IUCN guidelines. The role of modern zoos and botanical gardens. 4) Excursion to the MaB Protected Nature Reserve of Collemeluccio and Monte di Mezzo (Isernia). In this excursion students will conduct field activities aimed at determining biodiversity. Furthermore, they will know the processes and methods for managing a protected natural area through the explanations and examples addressed by the State Forestry Corps.

No particular knowledge is required, but rather a consolidation of previous ones such as ecology and botany.

The course is supported by PowerPoint® presentations and videos, as well as by training activities in the field aimed at acquiring the main monitoring and management techniques for protected areas. Various authors - State of biodiversity in Italy. Ministry of Environment and Protection of the territory, Palombi ed., Rome, 2005. Various authors - Biodiversity: Development Resources. ENEA National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, 2009.

Attendance of the course is not compulsory. However, given the applicative nature of the topics covered, both in class and during excursions, it is advisable to attend the course.

At the end of the course, students will have to take the assessment test with an oral interview. The oral exam includes a number of questions that is adequate to verify the student's degree of preparation. It will be assessed for the judgment and the final grade, the congruity of the answers with respect to the questions formulated, the degree of knowledge of the concepts acquired, the ability to connect the different topics of the program and interdisciplinary knowledge, the ability to report explanatory examples and contextualize the problems, the mastery and clarity of expression and exposure, the appropriate use of a specific language. The exam sessions will be established in accordance with the didactic regulations. For working students, a timetable will be agreed with the teacher that takes into account mutual needs.