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.

Il corso è aperto a tutti gli studenti di laurea triennale

The Erasmus+ e-learning project BESTNATURE, in line with the European Biodiversity Strategy, aims to develop innovative teaching models and methods through a blended education and training course on the topics of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration differentiated for different education levels.
The content ranges from conservation ecology and sustainable management of natural resources with insights into biomonitoring, remote sensing, and effective governance of protected areas for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration. The didactic programme is structured to provide students with an inter- and trans- disciplinarity view, from forest to freshwater ecosystems. International cooperation through professors and researchers from Italy, Austria, and Germany is essential for creating a network of experts that will work to face management challenges to protect and restore biodiversity.
This course provides a comprehensive overview of biodiversity, from theoretical concepts and monitoring methods to governance and management.
M1: Theoretical and Applied Contents. Basic knowledge of biodiversity in face of global changes (10 hours)
Basic knowledge of biodiversity in the face of global changes
From evolution to classification and biodiversity knowledge (2 hours) - UNITUS (A. Chiocchio)
Biodiversity is the variety of form, function, and interactions of all living organisms. Most of such variety is going to be lost before being acknowledged, due to the increasing anthropogenic pressures on natural environments. The aim of the lecture is to explore the way to get an evolutionary informed classification of biodiversity to meet biodiversity conservation commitments
From ecological processes to biological conservation (2 hours) - UNIBO (A. Chiarucci)
Biological conservation is emerging as a major need in this age of human transformation of ecosystems.
Forest stands dynamics and disturbance ecology (1 hour) - UNITUS (G. Piovesan, J. Palli, and M. Baliva)
Forests are dynamic systems. Despite the variety of environmental conditions (climates, soils), and natural history (evolutionary backgrounds) of forests in different parts of the planet, temperate, boreal, and tropical forests follow similar stages of stand development. This lecture aims at illustrating forest stand dynamics in relation to natural and human disturbance regimes, and the bioecology of complex forest ecosystems.
Introduction into pressures and threats (1 hour) - UNITUS (R. Cimmaruta)
The main pressures and treats impacting biodiversity will be presented according to Diamond’s Evil Quartet classification. Some examples of their effects on habitat and species loss will be shown through case studies. The combined and synergistic effects of impacts and pressures on biodiversity will be highlighted.
Endangered species and habitat (2 hours) - UNITUS (R. Cimmaruta)
Nowadays we are facing a dramatic loss of biodiversity, with species and habitat endangered and likely to be extinct. This lecture introduces the main threats to species and habitat and tools that are used to classify their conservation status, such as red lists. In addition, principles concerning how to recover an endangered species will be provided, illustrating some iconic cases of European endangered species that are recovering from extinction.
The role of natural ecosystems in the carbon cycle (2 hours) - UNIPASSAU (C. Schmitt) and CUAS (V. Berger)
The global carbon cycle is of outstanding importance for life on earth because it helps controlling the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere and thus the global climate. This lecture shows how the global ecosystems take up and release CO2 highlighting carbon sinks and sources. Next, it briefly explains the role of anthropogenic CO2 emissions for global climate change. Since forests play a key role in taking up and storing carbon, we then show how and where carbon is stored in forest above and below ground and how different ecosystems and forest types differ in their carbon storage potential. Finally, the lecture indicates how natural ecosystems can help in mitigating climate change.
M2: Monitoring Methods. Introduction to monitoring methods ( (6 hours)
Biodiversity monitoring methods introduction (including basis remote sensing) (3 hours) - UNIGRAZ (M. Hirschmugl) and CUAS (V. Berger)
Monitoring biodiversity is crucial to assess its status, take action against loss, and evaluate protective measures of impact. Biodiversity comprises three levels: genetic diversity within species, species diversity in ecosystems and the diversity of ecosystems in landscapes. To measure these levels, there are various methods that can be used directly on the ground or remotely. On the ground, we can distinguish between human-based measurements often related to quality (e.g. status of the ecosystem, signs of degradation, species distribution) and quantitatively measured data both by humans and measurement devices e.g. species diversity, vegetation height, water quality). These measurements are typically taken at specific locations selected in a sampling design in order to be representative, but they can never be wall-to-wall. Remote sensing is a monitoring method that can cover potentially larger areas using observations from airplanes or satellites. However, the observations from remote sensing cannot deliver the full range and/or same accuracy of measurements taken on the ground. Therefore, a smart combination of methods is needed.
Ecosystems structure analysis with a focus on carbon sequestration and storage in different forest types: managed, unmanaged, young, old-growth, ecological, rewilding, and primeval) (3 hours) - CUAS (V. Berger), UNIGRAZ (M. Hirschmugl), and UNITUS (G. Piovesan, F. Solano, and M. Baliva)
This module integrates a diverse range of topics essential for understanding forest ecosystems and their monitoring. Beginning with an exploration of ecosystem structure and functions, participants will get an introduction to forest monitoring methods and practical techniques such as measuring tree parameters like Diameter at Breast Height, Height, and Location. They further learn about assessing tree age and growth and analyzing sample plot data including tree density, diameter distribution, basal area, volume, biomass. Understanding forest dynamics regarding biomass, carbon stock, and volume increment becomes crucial for comprehensive forest assessment. Additionally, an overview of Remote Sensing techniques for analyzing forest structure and functions, as well as methods for assessing carbon sequestration and storage will be given.
M3: Governance and Management of Protected Areas (8 hours)
Overview of international policies and agreements for conserving biodiversity: IUCN Red List, Berna Convention, Nature Framework 2000, Ramsar, Convention on Biodiversity, Kunming-Montreal Targets, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB), European Green New Deal, and EU Biodiversity Strategy. This module will provide a framework for biodiversity conservation in protected areas. (3 hours) - UNIPASSAU (C. Schmitt, J. de Deus Vidal) and CUAS (M. Jungmeier)
This module aims to provide the students with an overview of the international policies and agreements on biodiversity conservation. We will introduce basic and advanced concepts, like IUCN RedList, Berna Convention, Natura 2000, Ramsar Convention on Biodiversity, Kunming-Montreal Targets, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB), European Green New Deal, EU Biodiversity Strategy, Framework for biodiversity conservation in protected areas. Moreover, we will also present a timeline of how these topics were brought together to create the current frameworks of international cooperation to protect biodiversity, starting from the creation of the Convention on Biological Diversity during the Earth Summit (Rio 92) to the most recent Kunming- Montreal Protocol, created in December 2022 at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties. By the end of this module, students will be capable of recognizing the overall structure of biodiversity policies, the hierarchy of the global actors, the initiatives and agreements currently implemented, as well as critically discussing their success and limitations in protecting species from human- triggered extinctions.
Protected Areas design and characterization (comparison between different models) (3 hours) - UNIBO (A. Chiarucci)
Biological conservation is emerging as a major need in this age of human transformation of ecosystems.
Strategies and Frameworks for Protected Areas Management (2 hours) UNITUS (Piovesan G., Palli J., Mansi C.; Carabinieri Biodiversity Group (General Raffaele Manicone)
Protected areas are clearly defined as geographical spaces, recognized, dedicated and managed to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values (IUCN). Effectively managed protected areas are critical instruments in achieving their objectives. In this lecture, we will report examples of best practices that maximize the effectiveness of protected areas. A special focus is given to risks and opportunities of “sport in nature” activities; to the key role ecotourism may play in conveying bio ecological and economic sustainability principles to the public; and to sustainable resource use through practices which minimize environmental impacts, such as the close-to-nature forestry.

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.

Il Corso viene erogato in modalità asincrona sulla piattaforma Moodle

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