Academic year2016/17
CourseCONSERVATION AND EVOLUTION
Code382EE
Credits6
PeriodSemester 2
LanguageItalian
| Modules | Area | Type | Hours | Teacher(s) |
| PLANT CONSERVATION | BIO/02 | LEZIONI | 56 | |
Programma non disponibile nella lingua selezionata
Knowledge
The student who successfully completes the course will be able to demonstrate a solid knowledge of the theoretical and practical bases for the evaluation of biodiversity of plant communities from a floristic, vegetational, and morpho-functional point of view; will be aware of different methodological approaches to the study of native plant species at risk of extinction and to their conservation at species (ex situ and in situ), population, and phytocoenosis level will be presented. In the practical activities the students will learn to a) monitor plant populations; b) use software for statistical analysis of biological data; c) elaborate the threat category with appropriate criteria.
Assessment criteria of knowledge
During the oral exam the student must be able to demonstrate his/her knowledge of the course material and be able to discuss the reading matter thoughtfully and with propriety of expression.Methods:
Teaching methods
Delivery: face to face
Learning activities:
- attending lectures
- Laboratory work
- Practical
Attendance: Advised
Teaching methods:
- Lectures
- Task-based learning/problem-based learning/inquiry-based learning
- laboratory
Syllabus
Plant biodiversity at gene, species and community level. Threats to plant biodiversity. Red Lists following IUCN classification. In situ plant conservation: protected areas and their classification and management; effectiveness of protected areas against main types of threat; notes on national and European regulations about protected areas and in situ biodiversity conservation. Ex situ plant conservation: germplasm banks, seed banks for long-term storage; technology and biology of seed conservation; cryoconservation; tissue culture. Notes on national and European regulations about seed banks and ex situ plant conservation. Pros and cons of in situ and ex situ conservation programmes; integrated in situ / ex situ programmes. Restitution and environmental restoration. The course will include regular lectures, field and lab practicals, visits to seed banks and protected areas, and practical work in the seed bank of the Biology Department.
Bibliography
Recommended reading includes the following works:
Primack RB, 2012. A primer of conservation biology. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland USA.
Hambler C, Canney SM, 2013. Conservation. Cambridge University Press, New York USA.
Further reading material will be provided by the instructor.
Updated: 14/11/2016 17:27
