OVERVIEW

In an increasingly anthropized planet, the impacts—including health impacts—on nature and urban biodiversity are increasing exponentially, due to climate change and globalization. Urban ecology and the management of urban fauna and flora are now central to local, European, and global planning.

The main topics will be:

Dynamics, gradients, and indicators of urban biodiversity

• Ecological dynamics in urban environments

• Urban-rural gradient, ecological connectivity, climate

• Ecosystem services and natural capital

• Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)

Urban biodiversity

• Structure and functioning of urban ecological networks

• Habitats and animal/plant species in cities (synanthropic, wild, native, invasive alien, of health interest)

• Urban fauna management

Management and social aspects

• Restoration and management of urban habitats (restoration ecology)

• Citizen involvement (e.g., citizen science)

• Management of human-wildlife conflict

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide students with basic knowledge of the subject, with reference to the current global development context and in accordance with current European, national, and local regulations (e.g., Agenda 2030). Special attention will be paid to ecosystem services and urban biodiversity, as well as their relationship with climate, urban planning, and social aspects (citizen science and citizen involvement), across the various urban-rural gradients. Present and future challenges and techniques will be analyzed, with a focus on the main channels for raising funds and submitting projects.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures and 1/2 field trips.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Major topics:
- Introduction to Urban Ecology, its relationship with Ecosystem Services and Natural Capital;
- Nature-based solutions and land use/consumption;
- Urban forms and networks, urban-rural gradient, and animal and plant species;
- Management of urban fauna, analysis of habitats, taxa, and species, including non-native ones, and operational management techniques (including sanitation aspects, e.g., arboviruses);
- Urban climate in relation to species (urban heat island, microclimates, unique habitats);
- Citizen science and related citizen engagement techniques;
- Funding sources, projects, and workloads.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

PDFs of the lessons and related handouts will be provided; scientific articles and bibliography will be recommended.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

STEFANO FERRETTI (President)

GIORGIO CHIARANZ

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Classes will begin in the week between September and October

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will be oral (Italian or English depending on the student's nationality)

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with a physical or learning disability certification filed with the University can find information about support services at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa, a website provided by the "Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and DSA" department.

You can also contact Professor Cristina Carbone (cristina.carbone@unige.it), the DISTAV contact for disabilities.