69577 - Principles of Conservation Biology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student achieves a global vision on the present state of biological resources of the planet, especially focusing on natural ecosystems, as well as of the threats that are consequent to the impact of human activities on ecosystems. In addition, the student achieves information on the strategies adopted for the conservation of species and habitats and the connected problems.

Course contents

Biological diversity and conservation biology. Threats to the biological diversity in Italy and the World. The development of conservation biology. Conservation of population and species. Conservation of communities and ecosystems. International strategies for the conservation of biological diversity. Protected areas and other approaches of conservation. Case studies at the national and international level.

Readings/Bibliography

Primack R.B., Boitani L., 2013. Biologia della Conservazione. Zanichelli, Bologna.

Teaching methods

Class lectures and student discussion groups.

Assessment methods

Type of assessment: Written test at the first examination call and interview for all the subsequent examination calls.

Type of questions: open questions.

Description of evaluation: The written test and the interview aims to verify the acquisition by the students the fundamental theoretical knowledge on the topics discussed during the course and her/his capacity to use these knowledge to understand the major issues in conservation biology.

Teaching tools

Slides of the teacher presentations during lectures, scientific reports and papers provided by the teacher, specialised web sites.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Chiarucci