Ateneo - UPO

Nature conservation (habitat and species). Animals as indicators of environmental conditions: birds and
invertebrates. Red lists. Minimum viable population MVP. Conservation of
biodiversity. Management of natural populations and pest species.
Conservation genetic. Scientific museology. There will be seminars, dedicated softwares,
tutorials and field visits.

Primack R.B. & Boitani L.
(2013) Biologia della conservazione. Zanichelli, Bologna.
Many scientific papers will be provided during the course to supplement the book.

Learn about the census techniques and major systems for the
management and conservation of habitats and species. Acquiring the
ability to process, to plot and interpret data collected in the field.
Knowing how to identify the role and consequences of various human
interventions in the management and conservation of nature. Knowing scientific museums and what they conserve and exibit.Principles of conservation genetic.

Zoology and Biology. It is also important to have acquired good knowledge of ecological subjects.

Lectures and overhead projector. Seminars with experts on specific topics.
Computer room with PCs for the use of educational software in nature conservation (MVP) and the consultation of wildlife and genetic database. Field trip and museum visit are planned.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request
specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse
e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-
students-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted
the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination
modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Oral examination. The examination involves the discussion of a scientific article identified by the student and inherent to the topics covered during the course. During the examination it
student must be able to illustrate the theoretical principles and the main techniques of nature conservation. He must also demonstrate his ability to understand the strengths and weaknesses and the
consequences of the various anthropic interventions in the management and conservation of nature. Finally, you will need to know the main aspects concerning the use of genetic analyzes in the conservation of species and the characteristics and function of scientific museums. The overall assessment will take into account the ability to interpret and discuss the data, the concepts acquired during the course and the language used.

Conservation of nature: Threats to biodiversity; Conservation of species or environments; Directives; ecological bases for establishing the value of biodiversity. Management and withdrawal of natural populations; reintroduction and repopulation. Management of negative impact species. Atlases of the distribution of the species. Extinctions; Red lists; Alien species; Minimum viable MVP population.
Conservation genetics: what it does, main monitoring techniques and censuses through genetics; management of endangered species. Bioindicators: Use of some animal groups as indicators of the environmental status: birds, mammals, river macroinvertebrates (IBE index) and soil invertebrates (QBS index) Scientific museums: how a natural history museum works, what finds it preserves , cataloging of specimens, extended specimen. There will be expert seminars on specific topics, use of dedicated softwares, exercises and visits in the field and in the museum.

Knowledge and comprehension: Acquisition of knowledge about nature conservation and common techniques for studying fauna, in particular the one with problems of conservation and management; knowledge of the concepts and applications of genetic techniques applied at the zoological field; enrichment of the appropriate scientific language in the zoological field. Knowledge and understanding applied skills: Identify useful data for nature conservation projects and be able to find them from reliable sources; ability to interpret scientific data in applied zoology. Autonomy of judgment: ability to critically analyze the elements related to the conservation of species and biodiversity, autonomy in the evaluation of experimental data obtained in field work and through the specimens preserved in museums. Communication skills: perfecting the disciplinary vocabulary in applied zoology, as well as describing phenomena and problems related to conservation in a clear and concise way. Learning skills: ability to deepen critically and independently update the skills acquired, through reading texts and scientific articles. Ability to use teaching material for a critical study.