The course aims to provide students with both theoretical and practical knowledge, enabling them to make a professional contribution to the planning phase of wildlife management in agro-silvo-pastoral areas. Specifically, the course intends to equip students with a fundamental understanding of: 1. Ecology applied to wildlife management; 2. The relationships and interactions between wildlife and the biotic and abiotic components of different ecosystems (agricultural, livestock, forestry, urban/peri-urban); 3. Habitat Suitability Modeling; 4. The systematics, distribution, evolutionary history, morphology, biology, ecology, and ethology of species of particular conservation or hunting interest, typically associated with mountain ecosystems; 5. Methods and techniques for population surveys, counts and estimates; 6. Problematic and/or invasive species, whether native or non-native (Alien Invasive Species); 7. Understanding the interactions between wildlife and human activities: threat factors, impacts, and mitigation methods/strategies; 8. Knowledge of the main specific regulations. The course combines theoretical lectures with practical exercises and case studies, preparing students to effectively contribute to the monitoring and sustainable management of wildlife within a complex ecosystem framework.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
The student must demonstrate the knowledge of species of particular conservation and hunting interest, typically associated with mountain ecosystems, as well as the technical terminology of the field. Additionally, the student should have acquired a basic understanding of the fundamental principles of ecology as applied to wildlife management and population studies. This includes knowledge of monitoring techniques, population counting and abundance estimation, wildlife data analysis, interpretation of population dynamics, and understanding of conservation regulations and active management practices. The student should also grasp the concepts of biodiversity, the logical process behind selecting appropriate monitoring techniques in different environments, and the factors influencing both the distribution and abundance of species and the emergence of interactions that negatively impact human activities.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
The student must demonstrate the ability to apply basic theoretical knowledge to practical situations in wildlife monitoring and management. This includes the skill to collect wildlife presence and abundance data both in the field and from major geoportals and informational layers. It will also be important to adapt survey methodologies to the specific characteristics of the study areas and the species being monitored.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS
The student must be able to make informed and autonomous decisions regarding:
1. The objectives to pursue based on the conservation status of the species, of its populations, and any interactions with human activities.
2. The most appropriate monitoring, counting, or estimation techniques under specific environmental and socio-economic conditions.
3. The determination of sustainable harvesting levels, if applicable, for huntable populations or those under demographic control.
4. The methods of population reinforcement (restocking and/or reintroduction) for populations in unfavorable conservation status.
5. The integrated eradication strategies for invasive alien species.
6. The regulations to reference in order to demonstrate the feasibility of the intervention deemed appropriate or necessary in each situation.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
The student must be able to clearly and effectively communicate the study approaches, the results and implications of monitoring, the status of the studied population, and the most appropriate management strategies to various audiences, including colleagues, environmental management officials, and the general public. This includes preparing reports, presenting findings in a clear and understandable manner, and participating in discussions on topics related to wildlife conservation and management.
LEARNING SKILLS
The student must demonstrate the ability to learn autonomously and continuously, integrating new information and techniques in the field of wildlife monitoring and management. This includes staying updated on the latest research and methodologies, as well as undertaking additional studies and research to enhance their skills.