2023/2024

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The student must acquire a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of wildlife management, including the biology, ecology, and behavior of wildlife species. This includes knowledge of species interactions with their habitats and the factors influencing population dynamics. The student should understand the policies, regulations, and practices of wildlife conservation and management, including methods for monitoring and evaluating wildlife populations. APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The student must demonstrate the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations in wildlife management. This includes proficiency in the use of techniques for detecting, monitoring, and managing wildlife populations, including in urban environments. The student should be able to develop and implement wildlife management plans that consider ecological, economic, and social needs, as well as current regulations. MAKING JUDGEMENTS The student must be capable of making informed and independent decisions regarding wildlife management strategies and interventions. This includes assessing the impacts of human activities on wildlife populations and vice versa and selecting appropriate mitigation measures. The student should be able to critically evaluate the ethical and sustainable implications of wildlife management practices, considering animal welfare and the conservation of agroecosystems. COMMUNICATION SKILLS The student should be able to effectively communicate wildlife management concepts and practices to a variety of audiences, including peers, administrators, and the general public. This includes the ability to prepare and present clear and informative reports on topics related to wildlife management. The student must demonstrate proficiency in both written and oral communication, using appropriate scientific terminology and adapting the language to meet the needs of different audiences, whether they are experts or laypersons. LEARNING SKILLS The student must be able to independently seek out and interpret scientific literature on wildlife management, keeping up-to-date with advancements in the field. The student should demonstrate the ability to engage in continuous professional development, utilizing the knowledge and skills acquired during the course to adapt to new challenges and opportunities in wildlife management. This includes the capability to undertake further specialized training or research in the sector.

The course does not have any prerequisites. Prior knowledge of biology and zoology is useful.

o Rapporti Direttive Natura (2013-2018). Sintesi dello stato di conservazione delle specie e degli habitat di interesse comunitario e delle azioni di contrasto alle specie esotiche di rilevanza unionale in Italia. ISPRA, Serie Rapporti 349/2021. A cura di Ercole S., Angelini P., Carnevali L., Casella L., Giacanelli V., Grignetti A., La Mesa G., Nardelli R., Serra L., Stoch F., Tunesi L., Genovesi P. (ed.), 2021.
o Manuale di gestione faunistica del territorio. A cura di Federico Morimando e Angelo Tassoni. Reda Ed.

Other documents provided by the teacher.

Frontal lessons
Wildlife in sector legislation (law on protected areas, law for the protection of warm-blooded fauna and for hunting, conservation measures relating to SACs and SPAs, law transposing the AEWA agreement, regional laws), management and administration of terrestrial fauna (wildlife-hunting plan, hunting calendar, faunal control plans and interconnections with the VIncA and VAS environmental assessment procedures, interventions for the eradication of allochthonous/alien species).
Main threats to biodiversity. The Red Lists. The problem of problematic and alien invasive species. Effects of global climate change on fauna and ecosystems. Relations between biodiversity, functionality of ecological systems, ecosystem goods and services with particular reference to the interactions, positive or negative, between wildlife, forest ecosystems and agro-ecosystems. Fundamentals of ecological restoration. Conflict management and participatory processes (human dimension).
Biology, evolution and eco-ethology of terrestrial vertebrates, insights into some species/faunal groups of management interest (ungulates, wolves, bears, galliformes, lagomorphs, some migratory species): use of resources and space, territoriality, choice of habitat , dispersal and migrations, reproductive and social systems, animal communication, interspecific interactions and associations.

Tutorials:
Recognition of wild species and presence indices in nature
Seminars

o Linee guida per la gestione degli Ungulati. Cervidi e Bovidi. Ispra, Manuali e Linee Guida 91/2013
o Mammiferi d’Italia, 2002. A cura di Mario Spagnesi e Anna Maria De Marinis, Ministero dell’Ambiente e della tutela del territorio, Istituto Nazionale per la Fauna Selvatica. Quad. Cons. Natura 14.
o Manuale di gestione della fauna. A cura di Francesco Riga e Sandro Lovari. Greentime ed.
o Manuale di gestione della fauna urbana. Approccio alla biodiversità e all'ecologia in città. A cura di Stefano Ferretti e Giorgio Chiaranz. Il Piviere ed.
o Il Lagomorfi in Italia. Linee guida per la conservazione e gestione. A cura di Valter Trocchi e Francesco Riga, 2005. Ed. Min. Politiche Agricole e Forestali – Ist. Naz. Fauna Selvatica. Documenti Tecnici 25.
o Linee guida per la gestione del Cinghiale, 2003. A cura di Monaco A., Franzetti B., Pedrotti L. e Toso S., Ed. Min. Politiche Agricole e Forestali – Ist. Naz. Fauna Selvatica.

Face-to-face lessons and field exercises.

Optional

Oral exam
Consistently with the modalities envisaged in the degree course "Sustainable management of forests and urban green areas L-25", in the evaluation of the profit (attribution of the final grade) which will be sustained in oral form, the level of theoretical knowledge of the of the student on the notions presented in class (superficial, appropriate, precise and complete, complete and in-depth), of the ability to analyze, synthesis and interdisciplinary connections (sufficient, good, excellent), of the ability to critical sense and formulate judgments (sufficient, good, excellent), mastery of expression (poor, simple, clear and correct, sure and correct exposition). In particular, the judgment and final grade will take into account the knowledge and concepts acquired, the ability to analyze problems, connect interdisciplinary knowledge, formulate hypotheses and judgments, mastery and clarity of expression, and exposition. Recognition of taxidermied species or from photos, estimation of the age class from cervid mandibles and antlers is foreseen. The final vote will be expressed out of thirty.

    Riccardo PRIMI