Ateneo - UPO

Teoria e parti pratiche volte allo studio della biodiversità. Verrano fornite nozioni di base di ecologia applicata alla caratterizzazione della biodiversità, identificazione delle relative minacce, metodi di campionamento, studio e gli indici per il monitoraggio ambientale. Verrano affrontati concetti di ecologia del paesaggio, genetica di popolazione ed in particolare i metodi per la biodiversità basati sullo studio del DNA. Verrano impiegati softwares e pacchetti applicativi dedicati all’analisi di dati genomici delle specie animali.

Sutherland, W.J. (2006). Ecological Census Techniques: A Handbook. Cambridge University Press. Frankham, R. et al. (2017). Genetic Management of Fragmented Animal and Plant Populations. Oxford University Press.

nderstand the key theories that explain biodiversity patterns and the methods used to study them. Gain familiarity with genetic and biological databases, as well as the primary systems for managing and conserving habitats and species. Develop the ability to process and interpret field-collected data and to relate this information to environmental conditions. Learn to assess the impact of human activities on ecosystems and their implications for conservation. Acquire the skills needed to use software and analytical tools for the genetic analysis of animal species.

knowledge in zoological and ecological subjects.

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 presentations utilized by the teacher during the lesson will be uploaded in the DIR section. The teacher will be available after class hours or by appointment. The teacher only replies to e-mails from the domain name.surname@uniupo.it. 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.

ral 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.

Biodiversity and threats. 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.