Ateneo - UPO

Theory and techniques of census, sampling, indices for environmental monitoring. Use of some animal groups as indicators of environmental status: birds, mammals, invertebrates. Landscape ecology: the patches-corridor-matrix model. Use of GIS softwares to analyze biodiversity data in relation to external environmental conditions (remote sensing environment and vegetation, pollution, urbanization). Use of softwares and application packages dedicated to the analysis of genomic data of animal species.

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.
Manuale operativo del software QGIS.

Know census techniques, environmental databases (remote sensing, CORINE habitat, urbanization) and the main systems for habitat and species management and conservation. Acquire the ability to process, graph and interpret data collected in nature and be able to relate them to characteristics of the external environment, using databases provided by national and international agencies. Know how to identify the role and consequences of different anthropogenic interventions in nature management and conservation. Know how to use software and applications for DNA analysis of animal species.

Good knowledge in biological and ecological subjects is required.

Classroom lectures with presentation of texts, images, diagrams and videos. Seminars by experts on specific topics. Computer classroom with PCs for use of GIS software (e.g., QGIS) and R packages for processing-visualization of genetic data.

The first part of the course is aimed at learning the methods used in censuses of living organisms (particularly animals) and the application of indices for environmental monitoring. A good command of census theory and techniques will be acquired, with practical examples relating to invertebrates and vertebrates. The presence of living organisms will then be interpreted using the Landscape Ecology approach and the patch-corridor-matrix model. Useful methods for collecting genomic data and for analyzing them from a biodiversity study perspective will also be explored.
This part is preparatory to 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 3-4 questions. In the exam, the student must be able to explain the theoretical principles of landscape ecology, the main practical techniques of field census and nature conservation, and the use of genomic data for the study of biodiversity. It must also demonstrate its ability to understand the merits and drawbacks (accuracy, cost, etc.) associated with different sampling methods and the consequences of different anthropogenic interventions in nature management and conservation. Part of the exam includes the use of environmental databases and their use with GIS geographic information systems and the use in zoology of genetic databases. The test concludes with a brief discussion of a scientific paper identified by the student and pertaining to the topics covered in the course. The overall assessment will be based on the ability to interpret and discuss the data, the notions acquired during the course, the language used, and will take into account the partial results achieved in the individual questions.

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 the student with applicative knowledge relating to biodiversity, with a view to using the large amount of environmental data present in environmental and biological databases in order to improve the management and conservation of nature. Special attention is focused on the use of softwares for mapping environments and biodiversity and for DNA analysis of animal species.
Knowledge and understanding - knowledge on the structure of terrestrial environments, using the landscape ecology approach (patches, corridors, matrices); nature conservation and the most common techniques for studying fauna; use of satellite data or other remote sensing methods; use of GIS; enrichment of the appropriate scientific language in the ecological field. Knowledge of the most common techniques for analyzing genomic data related to animal species.
Applied knowledge and understanding - identifying and retrieving data necessary for nature conservation projects and knowing how to find them from reliable sources; ability to interpret scientific data in the field of applied zoology.
Makin judgments - ability to critically analyze the elements related to the conservation of species and threats to biodiversity, autonomy of judgment in the evaluation of the experimental data obtained from the study of the species in the field and of the environmental data provided by organizations (physico-chemical data , remote sensing) or available in genetic databases.
Communication skills - improvement of the disciplinary lexicon in the context of applied zoology, as well as the ability to clearly and concisely describe phenomena and problems related to conservation, also addressing non-expert citizens. Ability to report on the topics presented during the course with an appropriate scientific language.
Learning skills - acquisition of the ability to critically deepen and autonomously update the skills acquired, by reading texts and scientific articles. Ability to use the didactic material for a critical and reasoned study.