2025/2026

Building directly on the theoretical foundations of Module A, Module B offers an intensive, applied learning experience focused on biodiversity monitoring and conservation. Students will immerse themselves in a real-world case study: a designated protected area. Under the direct guidance of both university professors and experienced park managers, participants will gain hands-on knowledge and practical skills essential for effectively monitoring and managing a protected natural environment. 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.

Aver superato il modulo A Teorico "Theory and application in biodiversity conservation - BEGINNERS - BA"

Module B includes a field week session in a National Park. The BESTNATURE Field Weeks (BFWs) are designed to provide students with hands-on experience in applying field monitoring techniques and effective protected area management, with the goal of developing practical, cross-curricular, and interdisciplinary knowledge.

The module teaches students how to collect and analyze ecological data using major biodiversity and tree-ring analysis software packages. The main topics of Module B are:

Environmental and remote sensing techniques in biodiversity monitoring and assessment.

Sampling design & monitoring: mapping biodiversity and ecosystem function (e.g., flora, fauna, habitats, dendroecology, and paleoecology).

Late afternoon Lab: Statistical analysis of collected biodiversity data using software packages (primarily R-based packages).

Biodiversity reporting for the assessment of protected area management effectiveness (e.g., how to write a policy brief).

In the final part of the course, students will learn to develop a web platform for visualizing biodiversity monitoring data from a specific protected area. They will collaborate with local stakeholders and organizations involved in biodiversity monitoring. Undergraduate and graduate students will interact with doctoral students who will serve as peer mentors, in collaboration with researchers and professors.

Before the BFW, the Partners worked together on the Handbook “Guidelines for Biodiversity Monitoring in Protected Areas—methods and devices for monitoring terrestrial and freshwater habitats in forest ecosystems.” This manual aims to provide students with theoretical knowledge about the most innovative monitoring methods planned for the BFW.

Obbligatoria

Final Report Guidelines
The final report is a prerequisite for earning 3 ECTS credits (Module B). The report should focus on the monitoring activities students participated in during the BESTNATURE Field Weeks (BFWs). These BFWs involved a variety of monitoring activities, which were subsequently analyzed and discussed in an online webinar.
Each student must select at least two monitoring activities and integrate them into their report, emphasizing their importance for biodiversity conservation. Reports should specifically focus on the Protected Areas visited during the BFWs. The evaluation will assess the depth of analysis presented and the student's ability to effectively present and discuss their chosen monitoring activities. Students may incorporate data analysis into their reports for some activities.

Report Structure:
Introduction: The BESTNATURE project
Study Region: Area of study, Environment, ecology, biodiversity
The Excursion: Summary of the activities, Topic selection
Topic 1: Method, results, interpretation
Topic 2: Method, results, interpretation
Personal Conclusions: Reflections on the topics and the excursion, personal learning outcomes, and reflections on the overall experience
References

Formalities:
The report should be 10-15 pages long, including figures.
Raw tables and data can be included in an appendix.
If the report focuses on data analysis, 10 pages are sufficient.
If the report is more descriptive, it should be up to 15 pages.

    Gianluca PIOVESAN