Conservation biology methods: field techniques and mapping

Aim

The aim is for the students to achieve a deeper understanding of scientific methods used in biodiversity conservation and ecology: how to plan, collect, analyze, and report ecological data and evaluate conservation strategies. Having successfully passed the course, the students should be able to:

• Identify conservation challenges, and design and implement field studies using appropriate survey methodologies.
• Collect and manage datasets for subsequent robust analysis and effective visualization.
• Apply geospatial tools (GIS) to conduct spatial analyses and conservation mapping.
• Evaluate ecological impacts of resource exploitation and propose evidence-based management and restoration recommendations integrating stakeholder perspectives
• Communicate scientific findings, both orally and in writing, and relate ecological processes and human decision-making to sustainable development goals.

Content

The course content spans five integrated modules: (1) Survey methodology in conservation, covering field techniques for species monitoring, habitat and biodiversity assessment, study design principles, and field studies; (2) Data collection, management, basic statistics, and data visualisation; (3) Spatial data and geographical information systems, remote sensing, spatial analysis, and conservation mapping; (4) Restoration ecology, examining resource exploitation impacts, nature restoration approaches, and monitoring methods; and (5) Case study focusing on complex conservation and environmental challenges.