B7855 - MONITORAGGIO E CONSERVAZIONE DELLA FAUNA

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will develop the critical competencies necessary for the design and field execution of monitoring programs. Emphasis will also be placed on the ability to effectively communicate outcomes. The acquired skills can be directly applicable to wildlife conservation, management, and scientific research

Course contents

Course Description

The course aims to provide the theoretical and practical foundations of animal monitoring, with a specific focus on birds and mammals. The main monitoring techniques currently in use will be presented alongside fundamental naturalist knowledge. Ample emphasis will be placed on conceptual aspects derived from animal and behavioral ecology—which are functional and prerequisite to monitoring activities—as well as on relevant regulatory and legal frameworks.

Course Programme

Prerequisites and Fundamentals of Wildlife Research and Monitoring: Introduction to Italian wildlife legislation: regulatory and legal framework. Habitat and other fundamental ecological concepts supporting fauna monitoring. Animal Populations: Structural properties and population dynamics. Introduction to population counts. Count Typologies: Censuses, estimates, and indices. Types of error: accuracy vs. precision. Avian Biology and Ecology: Phenological categories, standard checklists, and “formulari standard”. Phases of the annual avian biological cycle. Bird Migration: Migratory systems and flyways; ecological theory of migration. Migration strategies and types of migrants; migratory connectivity. Bird migration monitoring techniques. Italian Passerines: key identification concepts for main groups. Bird Ringing: Theoretical and practical aspects of marking and biometric sampling. Moult: Plumage topography, introductory physiology, moult patterns, and strategies. Raptors: Study and monitoring techniques and their applications for conservation purposes. Wintering Waterbird Monitoring: Identification fundamentals, ecological groupings, and population estimation techniques. Breeding Bird Monitoring: Vocalization physiology and function; soundscape ecology; census techniques based on vocalizations. Large-Scale song-based Monitoring programs and population indices. Field Sampling Design: Stratification and randomization; theoretical and practical considerations. Nocturnal Bird Monitoring: Playback techniques and pellet analysis. Small Mammals (Micromammals): Key taxa of the Italian fauna and basic identification. Ungulates: Fundamental concepts of identification and biological cycles. Autochthony and Parautochthony: Ecological and legal definitions and their management implications. Ungulate Monitoring: Census techniques, capture methods, and marking protocols. Distance sampling methodology and detection functions. Ungulate Management and Conservation: Case studies: the Montecristo goat and the Mouflon. Lagomorphs: Italian species and their regulatory status. European Hare: Subspecies, census techniques, capture and handling protocols, management, and conservation challenges. Wild Rabbit: Management issues and burrow counts. Telemetry: Tools, hardware, and techniques; theoretical and practical applications. Home Range Analysis: Definitions and estimation methods. Habitat use and selection. Movement Analysis: Trajectories and behavioral movement patterns.

Readings/Bibliography

Sutherland, W.J. (Ed.). 2006. Ecological Census Techniques: A Handbook. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Lovari, S., & Riga, F. (2016). Handbooks of Wildlife Management [Manuale di gestione della fauna]. Greentime, Bologna. 517 pp.

Technical documents published by ISPRA (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) available for download at www.isprambiente.gov.it

Scientific research articles on specific topics.

Teaching methods

In-person lectures

Assessment methods

Oral exam

Teaching tools

PDF copies of the lecture slides used during the course.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Pezzo