BIODIVERSITY OF ANIMAL BIOCENOSES

Depth study of issues related to biodiversity of the animal component of ecosystems; acquisition of techniques for the estimation of animal biodiversity; analysis of the main risk types that cause biodiversity loss of the fauna in natural and semi-natural environments; methodologies aimed at preserving biodiversity.

Frontal lessons, exercises in the classroom and in the field. Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

The animal biodiversity in its various levels. Concepts of fauna, areal and endemisms; dispersal and dispersion. Adaptations and phylogeny of the major animal taxa. The diversity of soil, cave, vegetation, freshwater, sea fauna especially in typical Mediterranean environments. Urban biodiversity. Patterns of biodiversity. The concept of hotspots and coldspots. Characterization of the Italian fauna.  Human society development and landscape transformation; effects on fauna and habitat. Extinctions. Minimum vital population assessment. The main causes of extinction. Evaluation of the extinction risks. Examples of fauna censuses. Principles of fauna conservation.