2025/2026

1. Knowledge and Understanding Students will have a comprehensive and critical understanding of: Biodiversity conservation and restoration principles, including current challenges and the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. Conservation ecology and biology, encompassing key theories and practices. Sustainable natural resources management, with a focus on ecological integrity and long-term viability. Innovative methods in biodiversity monitoring, including biomonitoring and remote sensing techniques. Effective governance of protected areas, including understanding the complexities of transnational management and policy gaps. 2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding Students will be able to: Apply scientific knowledge to address practical challenges in nature protection and ecosystem restoration. Utilize innovative and transdisciplinary methods for biodiversity monitoring and protected area management. Critically analyze and interpret data from biomonitoring and remote sensing for conservation purposes. Develop and implement strategies for effective management of protected areas at various scales. Translate scientific excellence into practical solutions for biodiversity challenges. 3. Making Judgements Students will be able to: Formulate and critically evaluate appropriate solutions to complex problems in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration, considering scientific, ethical, and societal implications. Assess the effectiveness of different approaches to protected area management and sustainable natural resources management. Make informed decisions regarding the application of innovative methods and technologies in biodiversity monitoring. Demonstrate awareness of the gaps in current knowledge and contribute to filling them through critical analysis and synthesis. 4. Communication Graduates will be able to: Communicate effectively about complex issues in biodiversity conservation and restoration to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. Engage in international cooperation and articulate their findings and ideas in a transnational context. Participate in professional and academic discussions, defending their judgments and contributing to collaborative problem-solving. (Only For PhD students acting as peer educators): Effectively convey complex scientific concepts and practical methodologies to students at different academic levels (MSc and Bachelor's). 5. Learning Skills Graduates will have the learning skills to: Undertake self-directed and autonomous learning in the field of biodiversity conservation and restoration, staying updated with new scientific developments and innovative methodologies. Engage in continuous professional development and adapt to evolving challenges in nature protection and ecosystem management. Critically reflect on their own learning process and identify areas for further development. Utilize e-learning platforms and other digital tools for effective knowledge acquisition and sharing.

The course is open to all Master of Science students

This course provides a comprehensive overview of biodiversity, from theoretical concepts and monitoring methods to governance and management.
M1: Theoretical and Applied Contents. Advanced knowledge of biodiversity in face of global changes (6 hours)
Species traits identification methods (taxonomy, genetics, ecology): Plantae, Fungi, Animalia (2 hours) - UNITUS (A. Bellati), UNIBO (Del Vecchio S.)
The lecture aims at guiding the students through a first approach for species identification. At the end of the course the students will have learnt which part of the plant they have to focus on for plant identification, they will have acquired the basic botanic terminology, and how to use the dichotomous keys for plant identification. The lecturer aims to provide the background knowledge for species identification, with focus on animal species. At the end of the course, the students will become familiar with species concepts, species traits identification and tools, and their application for classification of biological diversity.
Global Change Biology (2 hours) - (UNIPASSAU): C. Schmitt, Joao Vidal (UNITUS): G. Piovesan, M. Baliva, G. Chiatante E.C.O. - Institut für Ökologie (ECO): Jana Baumgartner, Klaus Steinbauer
As early as 1994, Peter M. Vitousek described major drivers of global environmental change that stem from human activities. These included climate change caused by an increase of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere, alterations in the global nitrogen cycle, alien species, pollution and globally pervasive land use/land cover change. More recent publications add biodiversity loss and biotic invasions to the list (e.g., Tanentzap & Kolmakova 2023). In this lecture, UP will first give a general introduction to the mechanisms behind the most important drivers of global change, highlighting global implications. Next, UNITUS and ECO will present the specific effects of global change on European ecosystems and protected areas, along with effective mitigation solutions.
Area-based conservation (e.g. island bio- geography theory and fragmentation) (2 hour) (UNIBO): Roberto Cazzolla Gatti
Area-based conservation methods of species, communities and ecosystems focusing on in situ conservation strategies (protected areas, national and regional parks, natural sites, etc.)
M2: Monitoring Methods. Introduction to monitoring methods (14 hours)
Remote sensing applications for tracking land use with special focus on forest composition (an introduction to the tools with some examples) (3 hours) - (UNIGRAZ): M. Hirschmugl, F. Lippl
Protected areas, but also their surroundings are hotspots of biodiversity, yet they are strongly shaped by past and current land use. Long-term as well as abrupt changes caused by land use and climate change can affect important functions, such biodiversity, protection against natural disasters and carbon storage. Therefore, we need to monitor these changes closely over time. Important variables include ecosystem spatial extent, disturbances and structure. Monitoring these variables over space and time consistently across larger areas is challenging using solely local in-situ data. We therefore learn about remote sensing approaches for monitoring including long-term satellite archives, high-resolution optical imagery, active remote sensing, and historical data.
Sample design, basic statistics and data cleaning (3 hours) - (UNITUS): Bruno Bellisario, (UNIPASSAU): Schmitt, Joao Vidal, (CUAS): V.Berger
For a successful monitoring approach, a well-designed sampling strategy and analytical approach are crucial. Depending on the research question and the chosen monitoring method, an appropriate sampling design must be selected. This module will introduce various spatial considerations for monitoring, including the area of interest, minimum mapping units, and plot design. Additionally, students will gain an overview of different statistical sampling designs, such as random, stratified, systematic, and subjective, and understand the advantages and disadvantages of each. They will explore measures of central tendency such as the mean, median, and mode, as well as measures of dispersion including range, variance, and standard deviation. Additionally, they will learn about probability distributions and hypothesis testing, which will enable them to understand the significance of observed data patterns. Also strategies for identifying and handling missing data, detecting and addressing outliers, and standardizing data formats will be introduced. This module will provide students with a basic knowledge to proficiently collect, analyze, and interpret data in the context of monitoring.
Data is everywhere, coming in different shapes and sizes. The way with which we measure, collect and analyse data can lead to nuanced interpretations, sometimes bringing incorrect conclusions. This lecture will introduce general principles and applications of data science in ecology. Students will learn the basics of data analysis to manage and analyse ecological data for a correct interpretation of results
QGIS (QField will be part of Module B) (3 hours). (UNIGRAZ) M. Hirschmugl, (ECO): L. Posch
and (CUAS): V. Berger
This module provides a comprehensive overview of the use of QGIS for nature conservation, covering key aspects from planning and analysis to monitoring and management. Participants will explore the QGIS interface, basic functions and spatial data management, gaining knowledge of importing, managing and creating spatial data. They will get an overview about spatial analysis methods used for different monitoring methodologies in QGIS, followed by cartographic design principles and techniques for creating custom maps that effectively convey conservation data. Through a mix of theoretical insights, practical exercises and case studies, participants will develop both the knowledge and practical skills they need to use QGIS for monitoring in nature conservation.
Biodiversity Monitoring and Bioindicators (3 hours). (UNIBO): Juri Nascimbene, (UNITUS): Francesco Cerini

In this lecture, the concept of Biodiversity monitoring will be breakdown. Several case studies will be presented, covering methods and tools to measure and monitor the different facets of biodiversity (species population, communities, habitat structure and biological processes). Particular focus will be on community level bioindicators in freshwater system, as IBE, EPT and STAR ecological indices will be illustrated.


M3: Governance and Management of Protected Areas (8 hours)

Synergies and trade-off regarding biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation (2 hours) - (UNITUS): G. Piovesan, M. Baliva, (UNIPASSAU): C. Schmitt and (Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna): E. Chiti
The global forests are unique and crucial ecosystems because of the biodiversity they harbour and the many ecosystem services they provide, including carbon sequestration and carbon storage. Negotiations at the international level have long aimed to create synergies between global biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation targets, culminating in the REDD+ mechanism under the UNFCCC. However, focusing on carbon storage in the above-ground living biomass of forests can create trade-offs for ecosystems that have high biodiversity but lower above-ground carbon, such as savannahs or peatlands. Besides measures promoted to increase carbon storage of European forests can contradict measure to protect their biodiversity. This lecture will introduce the topic by highlighting biodiversity and carbon indicators and moving from the global level to the European perspective.

UNESCO (World Heritage site, Man and Biosphere) (1 hours) - UNITUS): M. Colantoni, C. Mansi
The lecture provides insight into UNESCO’s integrated approach, uniting the World Heritage Convention, the MAB Programme, and Geoparks for natural conservation and fostering sustainable development.
Natura 2000, EU Restoration law, rewilding (a global perspective) (2 hours) - (UNITUS): G. Piovesan, G. Filibeck, M. Baliva and (UNIBO): A. Chiarucci
Introduction to the EU Habitats Directive. The Natura 2000 network and its management rules. The Habitat Types of Community Interest and their identification and monitoring. Links between the EU Regulation on Nature Restoration (aka “Nature Restoration Law”) and the Habitats Directive.
Introduction to the complex interplay between biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, and socio-economic interests within the EU Biodiversity Strategy and Nature Restoration Law. Key trade-offs include nature conservation versus economic use of reneawble resources, short- versus long-term goals, and different ecosystem and social economic priorities. Approaches such as strictly protected areas, close-to-nature forestry, and rewilding offer integrated, science-based solutions.
In response to growing environmental concerns in the late 20th century, several international initiatives and legal frameworks, such as the Birds and Habitats Directives, led to the creation of the Natura 2000 network—Europe’s cornerstone for biodiversity conservation. Within this framework, ECO has managed a Natura 2000 site near Lake Wörthersee in the city of Klagenfurt for over ten years.

Effective protected areas management (1 hours) - UNITUS): F. Cerini
Protected areas (PAs) are fundamental to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem functions, but their conservation outcomes are just as good as their management processes. In this lecture, students will learn about PAs typologies and management actions, and how their effectiveness in preserving natural systems is measured. Additionally, students will gain new possible perspectives on what conservationists should aim to conserve.

The course is available in asynchronous mode on the Moodle platform of the University of Tuscia, where recorded lessons with various teaching methods and in-depth materials are available.

The course is available asynchronously on the University of Tuscia's Moodle platform.

To help students become familiar with the format, question styles, and overall structure of the exam, a practice exam (Mock) is available on Moodle. This is intended to boost confidence and minimize test-taking anxiety.
The in-person BestNature final exam, which covers all course topics available on Moodle, is a 45-minute written test worth a total of 45 points. The questions are in a variety of formats, including multiple-choice, "pick the right term," and word-matching.

    Gianluca PIOVESAN