Unit BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
- Course
- Sustainable agriculture
- Study-unit Code
- A002191
- Curriculum
- Agricoltura biologica ed ecocompatibile
- Teacher
- Lorenzo Raggi
- CFU
- 9
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2024
- Offered
- 2025/26
- Type of study-unit
- Obbligatorio (Required)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa integrata
BIODIVERSITY AND VEGETABLE DIVERSITY
| Code | A002192 |
|---|---|
| CFU | 6 |
| Teacher | Valeria Negri |
| Teachers |
|
| Hours |
|
| Learning activities | Caratterizzante |
| Area | Discipline del miglioramento genetico |
| Academic discipline | AGR/07 |
| Type of study-unit | Obbligatorio (Required) |
| Language of instruction | Italian |
| Contents | Biodiversity, agrobiodiversity, gene pools, agricultural genetic resources, and the regulatory framework governing the use of genetic resources and promoting their conservation. Theoretical and practical knowledge for the planning and management of agricultural genetic resources in situ, on-farm, and ex situ, as well as the utilization of agricultural genetic resources. |
| Reference texts | Notes provided by the teacher (UNISTUDIUM) Smartt J and Simmonds N W, 1995, Evolution of crop plants, II edition, Longman Scientific &Technical publ. Harlan JR, 1992, Crops and man, ASA_CSSA, Madison Maxted, N., Dulloo, M.E., Ford-Lloyd, B.V., Frese, L., Iriondo, J.M. and Pinheiro de Carvalho, M.A.A. (eds) 2012 Agrobiodiversity Conservation: Securing the Diversity of Crop Wild Relatives and Landraces. CAB International, Wallingford Maxted N., Dulloo M.E. and Ford-Lloyd, B.V. (eds.) 2016 Enhancing UNISTUDIUM MATERIALS Crop Genepool Use: Capturing wild relative and landrace diversity for crop improvement. CAB International, Wallingford |
| Educational objectives | Understand the concepts of agro-biodiversity, gene pools, plant genetic resources for agriculture, conservation in situ, on-farm, and ex situ. Be familiar with the regulatory framework that governs the use of genetic resources and promotes their conservation. Understand that genetic resources must maintain their utility over time. Be able to apply the concept of gene pools and utilize genetic resources rationally in breeding programs and research. Know how to plan and conduct conservation activities in situ, on-farm, and ex situ. Know where to find and how to use information related to genetic resources (use of databases). |
| Prerequisites | Basic genetics knowledge |
| Teaching methods | Lectures, practicals, seminars |
| Other information | NA |
| Learning verification modality | Oral examination |
| Extended program | Lectures: Fundamental concepts of genetics and plant population genetics, genetic make up of commercial varieties of main crops (recall). Biodiversity: - definition, loss, conservation needs - gene pools, - plant genetic resources. Political and legislative context for conservation activities In situ conservation of spontaneous species: - aims and priorities, - location and dimensioning of protected areas , - harmonization of conservation activities with human needs , - integrated management, small populations management, - monitoring and evaluation of conservation actions. On farm conservation of landraces: - Role of agriculture, research and traditions in preserving and promoting landrace cultivation, - seed system. Ex situ conservation: - exploration, collection and storing of germplasm, - regeneration and distribution of germplasm, - characterization and evaluation of germplasm, - ex situ collection management. Use of plant genetic resources. - Planning and management of in situ, on farm and ex situ conservation actions. - Visit to a protected area (eventual). - Visit to the genebank of the DSA3. - Use of database for genebank management. - On line search of plant genetic resources for breeding and research. |
| Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile | 1,2,3,8,11,13,15 |
ANIMAL DIVERSITY
| Code | A002193 |
|---|---|
| CFU | 3 |
| Teacher | Francesca Maria Sarti |
| Teachers |
|
| Hours |
|
| Learning activities | Affine/integrativa |
| Area | Attività formative affini o integrative |
| Academic discipline | AGR/17 |
| Type of study-unit | Obbligatorio (Required) |
| Language of instruction | Italian |
| Contents | Concept of Biodiversity: Ecological, Specific, and Intraspecific Levels Loss of Biodiversity and the Need for Protection International and National Regulatory Framework for Conservation Activities Animal Genetic Resources In Situ and Ex Situ Conservation and Management Enhancement of Resources in Organic Agriculture and Livestock Farming Principles of Bioethics. |
| Reference texts | Gandini G.C., Pagnacco G. Razze domestiche locali. Milano University Press, 2024. G. Pagnacco Genetica animale. Applicazioni zootecniche e veterinarie, Casa Ed. Ambrosiana, Milano, 2020. Bigi D., Zanon A. Atlante delle razze autoctone. Bovini, equini, ovicaprini, suini allevati in Italia, Il Sole 24 Ore Edagricole, 2008. Lecture notes provided by the teachers |
| Educational objectives | Understanding of the following concepts: Biodiversity and agrobiodiversity. Populations, gene pools, and genetic resources. In situ, on-farm, and ex situ conservation. Knowledge of the binding documents and treaties governing the use and protection of genetic resources. Awareness that plant genetic resources must retain their usefulness for humanity over time. Awareness that biodiversity conservation raises ethical issues. The student should also: Learn to respect the planet’s biological resources Be able to apply the provided concepts rationally in breeding, conservation, and research activities Be capable of planning in situ, on-farm, and ex situ conservation strategies Be able to search for and utilize information related to genetic resources (e.g., through databases) |
| Teaching methods | Lectures, practical sessions, and seminars. |
| Learning verification modality | Oral examination |
| Extended program | Lectures Description of the main endangered species and breeds (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry). Conservation of domestic animal resources; economic, scientific and socio-cultural advantages and reasons for conservation; the national and international rules; ethical aspects of animal biodiversity conservation. Inbreeding and heterosis; genetic management of small populations. Description of the main endangered species and breeds (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry). Conservation techniques: • in situ (maintenance of breeds within livestock production systems and environmental contexts, through the enhancement of their productive characteristics; conservation of live animals in zoological gardens, natural parks, experimental farms, etc.); • ex-situ (conservation of genetic material in haploid or diploid form); • criteria for the management of small livestock populations. Conservation as a source of valorization of productions (examples of studied cases). Actions taken and future prospects. Practicals Calculation of the effective population size; classification criteria based on the risk of extinction; methods for controlling inbreeding. Dedicated software for the analysis of population genetics data starting from pedigrees or molecular data; methods for containing homozygosity. Practical examples of the protection and conservation programs in situ and ex situ of endangered breeds. |
| Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile | 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth 12: Responsible Consumption and Production 13: Climate Action. |