66444 - Biogeography and Fauna Protection

Learning outcomes

Biogeography is the study of the spatial patterns of biological diversity, and its causes, both in the present and in the past. This course will provide the ecological and historical foundations for understanding the distribution and abundance of species, and their changes in distribution and abundance over time. By the end of this course the students should be able: to comprehed the basic principles of biogeography as a discipline; to develop capacity to apply the field methodologies and data analysis techniques used in biogeography; to understand critically human impacts on species distributions and modern conservation strategies.

Course contents

Module - 1:
• Definition, field of investigation and purpose of Biogeography. Historical stages.
• Biological evolution in space-time context.
• Concept of species. Reproductive isolation. Speciation.
• Eco-biogeography. Biodiversity Concept.
• Extinction. Types of extinction with respect to space and time. Main causes.
• Alloctone or alien species and their influence.
• Distribution area of species: ecological and evolutionary analysis. Limiting factors: abiotic and biotic factors.
• Diffusion. Dispersion, barriers. Endemism and pandemic concepts.
• Insular biogeography and peculiarities.
• Principles of phylogeny and phylogeography. Emblematic cases in the Aves class (Paleognathae: Ratiti) and in the Mammalia class (Metatheria-Marsupialia); (Eutheria: Carnivora Ursidae, Felidae, Artiodactyla: Camelidae).
• Biogeographic classification: regional biogeographical units.
• Biomas: peculiarity.
• Wildlife protection. A model for sustainable fisheries management (optimal production and over-exploitation: causes and effects).
• Application approaches to the Study of Biogeography and Wildlife Protection: Case Studies.
Module - 2:
Marine environment: marine protected areas and sustainable development for the management and conservation of fauna especially of the Italian seas. Knowledge, protection and promotion of biodiversity. A methodological approach to the study of protected animal species and alloctone and the creation of posters as an example of communication.
Module - 3:
Terrestrial environment: Protected land areas and sustainable development for the management and conservation of fauna especially in Italian territories. Knowledge, protection and promotion of biodiversity.

Readings/Bibliography

- Argano R., Boero F., Bologna M.A., Dallai R., Lanzavecchia G., Luporini P., Melone G., Sbordoni V., Scalera Liaci L. Zoologia:evoluzione e adattamento. Cap.2 in parte, 5 in parte, 6, 7, 8. Monduzzi Ed. (2007).

- Sadava D., Hillis D.M., Heller H.C., Berenbaum M.R. Biologia. vol. 3 L'evoluzione e la biodiversità; Vol . 6 L'ecologia. Zanichelli (2014).

- Brooker R ., Widmaier E.P., Graham L.E., Stiling P.D. Biologia: vol. 3 Evoluzione; vol. 6 Ecologia. McGraw-Hill (2011).

- Zunino M., Zullini A . Biogeografia. La dimensione spaziale dell' evoluzione. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano (2°ed., 2004 ).

- distributed teaching material (articles and e web sites).

Teaching methods

Oral lessons with PowerPoint projection; science films; scientific papers distributed; educational materials (articles, websites, PP); seminars and conferences; educational excursions.

Assessment methods

1) Written test on topics for oral examinations; 2) Oral presentation of a poster in PP ( A4 ) on a topic of your choice (different for each candidate) on the protection of wildlife.

Teaching tools

computer, video projector

Office hours

See the website of Maria Vallisneri

See the website of Stefano Montanini

See the website of Nevio Agostini