SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
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- Versione italiana
- Academic year
- 2016/2017
- Teacher
- GIUSEPPE CASTALDELLI
- Credits
- 6
- Didactic period
- Secondo Semestre
- SSD
- BIO/07
Training objectives
- The management of renewable resources is a discipline that deals with the study of management aspects of the exploitation of biological systems, natural or semi-natural; in this course, special attention is given to the exploitation of fishery and shellfish resources. The ecosystem management is a more and more fundamental part, particularly in those cases where the exploitation of a renewable resource is developed in an ecosystem impacted by various human activities.
The main objective of the course is to provide students with the knowledge of the main types of renewable resources and, in particular, of fisheries resources on a global scale and Italian. Central part is the systematic knowledge, biological and ecological of the main fish species and shellfish fished and farmed in Italy, the main exploitation patterns and fishing used globally and in Italy, and the sampling methods used for scientific purposes and for stock assessment.
The student is guided to the understanding of the main types of exploitation of a renewable resource and to the development of a critical capacity and operational on the integrated management of the resource and of the ecosystem concerned.
Knowledge and understanding
The student:
- knows the historical evolution of the exploitation of renewable resources;
- knows the different types of renewable resources and the main problems of their exploitation on a global and local level, and in relation to the risks of loss of biodiversity;
- knows the main methods of sampling, monitoring and control of fish stocks and the shellfish farming;
- knows the most important elements of management problems, with particular reference to the integrated management of renewable resources and of the ecosystem .
Applying knowledge and understanding
The student:
- knows how to properly use the terminology of renewable biological resources;
- knows the most important methods for monitoring fisheries;
- knows how to approach a real case of management of a renewable resource;
- is able to orientate in identifying any critical operational points in the renewable resource management;
- knows in an integrated way how to assess the critical issues and define intervention hypothesis. Prerequisites
- Although there are no compulsory prerequisites of other teachings it is useful to have a fairly good knowledge of animal biology and general and applied ecology.
Course programme
- Definition of renewable resources and fisheries (4 hours); case studies on the global, (2 hours), Italian (2 hours) and Po River delta (2 hours).
The main species of interest in the Italian marine, transitional and fresh water fisheries. The recognition of fish species: diagnostic and meristic characters and the zonation in the Italian waters (10 hours).
Systematic recognition of shellfish species of commercial interest and their distribution in the Italian coastal waters. The clams at the global, Italian and Adriatic evels; the case of the Goro lagoon: history, technical evolution of the sector; environmental, social, commercial limits. Mussel and oyster farming in the world, in Italy and in the Adriatic; the case of the Po delta: history, technical evolution of the sector; limits environmental, social, commercial; oyster-culture perspective in Italy (12 hours).
Sampling methods of fish in inland, transitional and marine waters: net types, operation, methods and environmental conditions affecting their use and limitations (2 hours); Application of the Fish-Index in inland waters and case studies (2 hours).
Disappeared and endangered fish species: the case of sturgeons and eels (4 hours).
Invasive alien species: global, European and Italian perspective and the Po basin case study: causes, dynamics, effects, past and future management: " when, how and if to intervene" (4 hours).
Extensive fish farming: historical reasons for the collapse: the case of Comacchio and an innovative perspective of sustainable exploitment (4 hours). Didactic methods
- The course consists of lectures for a total of 48 total hours of teaching (6 credits). Given the strongly applicative nature of the Course, the lessons require continuous contextualization of the theoretical contents, through the use of slides and films, animal models, gears and tools used in the current management of fisheries resources and visits to sites of historical interest for the management of fisheries resources and to structures for processing and marketing products of fishery and aquaculture. The last two hours of the course are dedicated to the revision of the main topics of the program and simulation of the exam.
Learning assessment procedures
- The aim of the examination is to test the level of knowledge and depth of the topics of the course program and to assess the capacity for critical analysis developed in relation to the purpose of the biological waste treatment. In order to calibrate the lessons and the examination, mid-term tests will be carried out through classroom discussion.
The exam consists of a single proof that, chosen by the student, will be written or oral. The written test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 3 open questions, homogeneously distributed in all the topics covered in the course. The estimated time for the test is 1 hour. During the written exam is not allowed to consult texts or use PC, smart phone, etc.
To pass the exam you need to acquire a minimum of 18 points out of 33. The final score is calculated according to the following criteria: 1.5 points for each multiple choice question and 3.5 points for each open-ended question, to which is given a fully comprehensive answer. The answers to open questions are evaluated both for the content and for the pertinence of scientific language. Reference texts
- Powerpoint presentations, handouts and scientific papers provided.
Un mare di risorse - introduzione alla conservazione ed alla gestione delle risorse ittiche. A cura di Cataudella Stefano, Carrada Gian Carlo, Uniprom, 2000, Roma.
