Learning objectives
The course aims to provide theoretical and practical knowledge on the vegetation and habitats of Directive 92/43/EEC (Habitats Directive) for the purposes of biodiversity conservation. To achieve this objective, training in the use of operational tools for vegetation detection, recognition of Natura 2000 habitats and planning of a habitat monitoring plan is necessary. Knowledge of these methods is essential for operating as an environmental botanist, contributing to territorial planning, the design and implementation of actions for the conservation and management of the plant heritage and landscape, participation in environmental restoration interventions and the fulfillment of the prescribed procedures from the Habitats Directive.
At the end of the course the student is expected to have acquired the following skills:
- implement procedures for the identification, survey, monitoring and cartographic representation of vegetation and habitats
- processing of floristic-vegetation data for the evaluation of the state of conservation of vegetation and habitats
- identify ecological factors, pressures and threats affecting vegetation and habitats and develop measures for the conservation of plant biodiversity
- implement the technical procedures relating to the Habitats Directive and the Natura 2000 Network.
Prerequisites
Students will have to know the basics of the study of vegetation, the concept of monitoring and phytosociological survey. These pre-requisites are obtained by having passed the exam
STUDY METHODOLOGIES AND MONITORING TECHNIQUES IN VEGETATION SCIENCE
Course unit content
The course aims to train students to perform vegetation surveys, to recognize Natura 2000 Habitats and to assess the state of conservation of Habitats protected by Directive 92/34/EEC (Habitats Directive).
After the course, students will be able to recognize the main vegetation types present in the explored territories, they will know the main threats to their conservation and they will be able to set up a monitoring plan for the environmental variables and plant biodiversity that characterizes these environments.
Full programme
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Bibliography
• Angelini P., Casella L., Grignetti A., Genovesi P. (eds) 2016 Manuali per il monitoraggio di specie e habitat di interesse comunitario (Direttiva 92/43/CEE) in Italia: habitat. ISPRA, Serie Manuali e linee guida, 142/2016
• DG Environment 2017 Reporting under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive: Explanatory notes and guidelines for the period 2013-2018. Brussels. Pp 188
• EC 2013 Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats - EUR28
• Genovesi P., Angelini P., Bianchi E., Dupré E., Ercole S., Giacanelli V., Ronchi F., Stoch F. 2014 Specie e habitat di interesse comunitario in Italia: distribuzione, stato di conservazione e trend. ISPRA, Serie Rapporti, 194/2014
• Blasi C., Biondi E. (2017) La flora in Italia. MATTM - Sapienza Università Editrice, Roma
• Ellenberg H. (2009) Vegetation Ecology of Central Europe. Cambridge University Press
Teaching methods
The course includes 16 hours of lessons which will be delivered in the classroom and 20 hours of excursions divided into 3 excursions in Natura 2000 areas.
During the excursions the students will learn to make a Natura 2000 Habitat map
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam in which the topics covered during the lectures will be discussed.
Other information
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