66505 - Conservation Biology

Academic Year 2018/2019

  • Moduli: Mario Marini (Modulo 1) Stefano Goffredo (Modulo 2)
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Sciences and Management of Nature (cod. 9257)

    Also valid for Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Sciences and Management of Nature (cod. 8209)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student possesses knowledge on the biology of marine and terrestrial animal species of particular naturalistic and / or conservation interest. In particular, the student is able to: - know about biology and ecological requirements of species strongly linked to particular habitats and of small size; - manage the natural environment and the urban environment in order to ensure the protection, conservation and dissemination of species included in Directive 92/43 EEC and of particular naturalistic interest; - know and apply mathematical models that are suitable for the description of growth and population dynamics, useful for the management of resource exploitation; - know the relationship between environmental parameters and colonization capacity, especially in relation to climate change.

Course contents

Animal Species Conservation (3 Credits; Module 1; Mario Marini)

Invertebrate status, biology, protection and conservation (Crustaceans: Austropotamobius pallipes; Insects: Lepidotteri, Coleotteri), Amphibians and Reptiles of particular naturalistic interest in the Italian Fauna and Conservation of their Habitats.

Growth and Population dynamics models; relations between environment and colonization capacity (3 Credits; Module 2; Stefano Goffredo)

Temperate and tropical coral ecology: reproduction, population density; bathymetric distributions; biometrics; sclerochronology; growth functions; population structure; survival curves and biomass; resource management; effects on populations of warming and acidifying oceans.

Readings/Bibliography

Animal Species Conservation (3 Credits; Module 1; Mario Marini):

To prepare for the course, the teacher will distribute the didactic material used in lessons through files in PowerPoint. For further information, we recommend: AAVV, 1996 Background information on the invertebrates of the Habitats Directive and the Bern Convention. Part I-Crustacea, Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. Nature and Environment 79, Council of Europe.

Growth and population dynamics models; relationships between environment and colonization capacity (3 Credits; Module 2; Stefano Goffredo):

You do not need to buy specific texts. Updated material will be delivered on-line.

Teaching methods

Animal Species Conservation (3 Credits; Module 1; mario marini)

The course includes lectures (2 CFU) on the biology, morphology and ethology of the species of interest with projection of images for species identification. The course also includes observation (1 CFU) of animal samples of species of naturalistic and conservation interests

Growth and population dynamics models; relationship between environment and colonization capacity (3 Credits; Module 2; Stefano Goffredo)

Frontal lessons and discussion of scientific articles (2 Credits). Computer exercises (1 Credit).

Assessment methods

The assessment of the integrated course takes into account the level of knowledge and skills acquired by the student in relation to the contents of both modules.

The verification takes place through the final exam, which ascertains the acquisition of the knowledge and skills expected.

For the module 1 "Animal Species Conservation"  there is a written test in the form of a quiz, and an oral test (3 questions).

For the module 2 "Growth and population dynamics models; relationship between environment and colonization capacity" there is only the oral test (3 questions).

Teaching tools

PC, videoprojector, material of the entomological and herpetological collection, spreadsheets

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Goffredo

See the website of Mario Marini