84414 - CONSERVAZIONE DELLA BIODIVERSITA'

Academic Year 2018/2019

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Ravenna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Marine Biology (cod. 8857)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has the knowledge related to the description and study of biodiversity in the marine environment with particular attention to the Mediterranean basin. The student acquires knowledge on the principles of conservation biology and genetics. Thanks also to the use of genetic-molecular techniques will be able to - evaluate the effects that climate change and anthropogenic impacts have on the structure and dynamics of populations - estimate the capacity for resilience of organisms - implement programs for the prevention and control of dissemination of invasive species - set up management and conservation plans for exploited or endangered species - design, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of marine protection interventions.

Course contents

Fundaments of biological conservation: history, definition, principles and objectives. Conservation in the marine and terrestrial environment: similarities and differences.
The structural levels of biodiversity, from the molecular to the ecosystem and their conservation.
Threats to biodiversity (fragmentation and loss of habitats, climate change, over-exploitation of resources).
Introduced species and invasive species.
Extinctions (types and causes). Endangered species threatened with extinction.
Measures for the conservation of the marine environment (monitoring, design and management of marine protected areas), in-situ conservation of populations and species (design of management plans), ex-situ conservation of populations and species.
IUNC criteria for the definition of the risk status of a species, Red Lists as a Conservation Instrument, CITES and control of international trade in species. Main international conventions and bodies for the protection of the sea and marine organisms.

Readings/Bibliography

Crucial will be the use of material (papers, power point slides) distributed by the teacher and made available on the web and lecture notes. For further information the teacher recommend these books, however available in the library of Environmental Sciences:


Conservation Biology - 2013 - Richard B Primack, Luigi Boitani, Zanichelli
An Introduction to Conservation Biology - 2016 - Richard B Primack, Anna A Scher - Sinauer
Fundaments of conservation genetics - 2004 - Richard Frankham, Jonathan Ballou, David Briscoe - Zanichelli

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons and lectures and discussion of scientific articles from international journals and exhibition in the classroom with the help of a PowerPoint presentation after group preparation of 2-3 students.

Assessment methods

Oral exam

Teaching tools

Teaching material available on the Campus website - Institutional deposit of educational material [http://campus.unibo.it [http://campus.unibo.it/]]
The password for access to the teaching material will be provided to the students during the first course lesson.

Office hours

See the website of Federica Costantini

SDGs

Sustainable cities Climate Action Oceans Life on land

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.