Università Roma Tre

English version

Applied Ecology BIO/06 Prof. Corrado Battisti (e-mail: cbattisti@inwind.it; Cell 328.2289873)

Aims: the course provides a basic conceptual framework in ecology and applied ecology, with a particular focus on the main approaches and procedures used in environmental planning, nature conservation and ecosystem management. During the course students will become familiar with the problem-solving and project management approach, applied to natural and semi-natural ecosystems.

Program

1. Ecology - General principles: hierarchical scales; wildlife management and landscape planning: disciplinary plant. Site-based and target-based approaches. Ecosystem and landscape: definitions. Neutrally-based, individually-based, observer-based landscapes.
2. Analysis and evaluation phase. Data collection techniques. qualitative and quantitative sampling methods (regular, stratified, random sampling). Sampling accuracy and bias. Distance sampling. Data analysis at the level of populations and communities.
3. Planning phase. Environmental planning. The planning process. Identification of priorities. Species action plans; site management plans. Connectivity conservation. Environmental fragmentation. Connectivity, ecological networks: strengths and weaknesses. Target-species. Objective selection of focal species with expert-based approaches. Delphi open and delphi closed.
4. Wildlife management. Species management. Habitat management. Diagnosis and threat analysis. DPSIR causal report. Threats analysis. Indicators. Habitat restoration. The design cycle. Conservation measures (regulatory, administrative, contractual). Management actions (active interventions, regulation, incentives, monitoring and / or research programs, educational programs). Precautionary approach. The management of a protected area: logistics, administration, research, training, education, planning, design, conservation. Protocol for the drafting of a site-based plan (individual work): definition of actions, timing and distribution of resources, in the gym area: SPA "Palude di Torre Flavia".

Texts adopted:
Battisti C., Conigliaro M., Poeta G., Teofili C., 2013. Biodiversità, disturbi, minacce - dall’ecologia di base alla gestione e conservazione degli ecosistemi. Forum editrice universitaria udinese, 238 pp.

Recommended texts:
Wilson E.O., 1993. La diversità della vita. Rizzoli, Milano (also available in an economic edition as: Wilson E.O., Biodiversità. Sansoni editore).
(other optional texts will be proposed during the course).

Delivery model: traditional

Frequency: optional (suggested: mandatory)

Evaluation: written and oral test with presentation of a case study design. The written test involves the administration of multiple choice questions on the main concepts addressed. During the oral exam the student will propose a topic to be articulated in the form of a project cycle in an applied ecology context.

The teacher is always available by appointment (e-mail: cbattisti@inwind.it; cell: 328.2289873).