Ateneo - UPO

Theory and practical parts aimed at the study of biodiversity. Basic notions of ecology applied to the characterisation of biodiversity, identification of relevant threats, sampling methods, study and indices for environmental monitoring will be provided. Concepts of landscape ecology, population genetics and in particular DNA-based biodiversity methods will be addressed. Softwares and application packages dedicated to the analysis of genomic data of animal species will be used.

Sutherland W.J. (1996) Ecological census techniques. A handbook. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge UK.
Forman R.T.T. (1997) Land mosaics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Frankham, Richard, and others, Genetic Management of Fragmented Animal and Plant Populations (Oxford, 2017; online edn, Oxford Academic, 21 Sept. 2017)
Taberlet, Pierre, and others, Environmental DNA: For Biodiversity Research and Monitoring (Oxford, 2018; online edn, Oxford Academic, 22 Mar. 2018)

Know the theories governing the development of biodiversity and the techniques for studying it, genetic and living organism databases and the main systems for the management and conservation of habitats and species. To acquire the ability to process and interpret data collected in nature and to be able to relate them to the characteristics of the external environment To be able to identify the role and consequences of the various human interventions in the management and conservation of nature. To be able to use software and applications for DNA analysis of animal species.

Good knowledge in biological and ecological subjects is required.

Classroom lectures with powerpoint presentation and practical lessons on data analysis. Computer room with PC for the use of GIS software (e.g. QGIS) and R packages for processing-visualisation of genetic data.

The first part of the course is aimed at learning the theory of biodiversity, evolutionary mechanisms, speciation and phylogeny.
A good grasp of theory will be acquired, followed by practical examples relating to invertebrates and vertebrates and the methods useful for collecting genomic data and analysing them from a biodiversity study perspective.
The presence of living organisms will then be interpreted using the Landscape Ecology approach and the patch-corridor-matrix model, the second part of the course, aimed at acquiring the ability to process and interpret data collected in nature from a biodiversity conservation or natural resource management perspective. A base of data and examples will be provided in order to acquire the critical tools to understand management and conservation issues, following the two strands of environment conservation and species conservation.

Oral examination. The test involves writing a scientific report based on data available from public online databases, on the basis of which questions will be asked to test the learning of the notions provided during the course.

Census techniques and indices for environmental monitoring. Generalities on census theory and techniques and sampling, reliability and precision of estimates, precision/cost balance. Use of census techniques and indices applied to various taxa of living things: invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Landscape ecology: landscape as mosaic, the patch-corridor-matrix model. Effect of spatial scale in ecological investigations. Patches: size, LOS and SLOSS comparisons. Habitat fragmentation. Effects on species numbers, biodiversity, productivity and biomass, erosion, hydrology. Optimal size and minimum area, genetics in a patch (MVP, minimum viable population). Edge zones.
Corridors: function as habitat, conduits, filters, source and sink.
Matrix: percolation, ecological characteristics of the matrix.
Cartography: map projections, geographic coordinate systems, latitude-longitude and UTM system. Italian and regional cartography, thematic mapping, remote sensing, CORINE habitats. Construction of maps of ecological interest. GIS systems, remote sensing and environmental information systems.
GIS: use of dedicated software. Vector files, the objects: points, lines, polygons, areas. Layers, construction of thematic maps. Raster files: use and management of raster images.
Genomic data obtained in the laboratory or search in databases (Genbank, Malavi). Software dedicated to genomic data management, construction of phylogenetic trees, visualization of species relationships and animal biodiversity.

The course aims to provide students with applied knowledge related to biodiversity, with a view to using the huge amount of environmental data in databases to improve nature management and conservation. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of softwares for biodiversity and DNA analysis of animal species.
Knowledge and understanding: acquisition of knowledge about the structure of terrestrial environments, using the landscape ecology approach; nature conservation and the most common techniques for studying fauna; use of data and GIS; enrichment of the appropriate scientific language in the field of ecology. Acquisition of knowledge of the most common techniques for analysing genomic data on animal species.
Applied knowledge and understanding: identifying and finding data required for nature conservation projects and being able to retrieve them from reliable sources; ability to interpret scientific data in the field of applied zoology.
Autonomy of judgement: the ability to critically analyse elements related to species conservation and threats to biodiversity, autonomy of judgement in the evaluation of experimental data obtained from the study of species in the field and environmental data provided by organisations (physico-chemical data, remote sensing) or present in genetic databases.
Communication skills: refinement of the disciplinary vocabulary in the field of applied zoology, as well as the ability to clearly and concisely describe phenomena and problems related to conservation, also addressing non-specialists. Ability to report on the topics presented during the course in appropriate scientific language.
Learning ability: acquisition of the ability to critically deepen and update the acquired competences independently, by reading scientific texts and articles. Ability to use teaching material for critical and reasoned study.