INGLESE

Basic knowledge of ecological processes; basic knowledge of relational database management and Microsoft Excel. In order to use a GIS software (open source), experiences with software for basic file management and browsing are needed.

The course aims to provide the students the skills needed to learn the rationale and the main features of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and of Geographic Information Systems (Geographical Information System), through the use of open source software QGIS. Data management and analysis is framed in the context of informing MSP processes and related knowledge needs. Introduction to the principles, methods and tools of marine spatial planning and management; then, it will provide essential element of cartography and geodesy, which allow students to understand the geographic dimension of marine and coastal issues. An introduction of the geo-processing and analysis of geographical database and to raster and vector data model on which the representation of reality in GIS is based, highlighting their respective advantages, will be provided. Finally, the students will be introduced at the geo-referencing and data digitalization techniques and at the production of an appropriate cartographic output.
The course will include nine hours of theoretical lessons concerning the basic concepts of marine spatial planning and ecosystem-based management, plus six hours of theoretical lessons on GIS, cartography and geodesy. The remaining hours of the course (15) will be devoted to the development of students’ individual task supported by GIS practical exercises. The presence, not mandatory, is strongly recommended along the entire course to understand the basic concepts and to reach the learning objectives through the development of the individual assignment during classes with the support of the instructors, especially during exercise hours. The course practical GIS lessons will take place in the didactic computer room where students will have few workstations available. However, it is strongly recommended for students to bring their own laptop to follow the exercises and to develop their individual tasks during the practice hours.

Acquire knowledge on marine spatial planning, methods, tools, and practices;
Acquire knowledge on data types and availability in GIS, and on tools and algorithms common to most software in the field

Develop applied knowledge to tailor data management and collection for problem scoping in MSP on a real case study area;
Develop skills in producing maps for the purpose of informing MSP analytical processes

Intersect ecological knowledge with data management to answer to management challenges in the context of Marine Spatial Planning

PART 1 – Setting management problems in Marine Spatial Planning
- Ecosystem-based management and Marine Spatial planning
- Elements of Marine Spatial Planning
- The general model. Phases: planning, diagnosis, implementing and evaluation
- Examples and case studies.
- Spatial analysis of Cumulative Effects in the context of MSP
- Assessment of Ecosystem Services for MSP
PART 2 – GIS for MSP
- Introduction to maps and GIS
- Basic cartographic notions
- Map viewers vs. GIS software
- Data: Data structure, types, Data sources
- Common vector operations. Data tables
- Common raster operations and Map calculators (algebra)
- Elements on spatial analysis in GIS

The students will be guided in the development and achievement of their learning objectives through an individual assignment which will be developed partly during classes and partly with individual work.
Students will have to identify a management problem related to the conservation of species or habitats of their interest from anthropogenic threats. The individual assignment built in two phases: definition of a management problem for a case study (phase 1), elaboration of maps in GIS to explain the management problem accompanied by a short summary (phase 2).
Student will be asked to produce a spatial analysis through GIS data and information about:
1) the state and spatial distribution of conservation features defined in the management problem;
2) the spatial distribution of potential drivers (e.g., human uses) that might affect the features.
The individual assignment will result in a series of maps representing the management problem at hand.

Criteria for phase 1 and 2:
- general understanding of the assignment in terms of management problem, conservation features, threats, cause effect chain (both for phase 1 and 2)
-- textual explanation of the management problem (e.g., clarity and effectiveness of the text in explaining the key aspects of the management problem represented in the maps, use of relevant sources and references)
- sources and metadata, e.g., clear description of sources and metadata, bibliography in proper format
Additional criteria only for phase 2:
- representation of the management problem through maps (selection and aggregation of the layers coherent and effective to communicate the problem at hand)
- visual performance of the maps with respect to the management problem (e.g., color or framework coherence across maps)
- technical aspects of the maps with respect to the GIS codification (eg, legend, north, etc)

A grade will be assigned to the first part of the assignment and to the second part based on the criteria expressed above and selected across the following indicative ranges (out of 30): excellent (30/30 and 30L), very good (28-29), good (27-28), more than sufficient (25-26), sufficient (18-24).

The first phase will count for 30%, and the final assessment will count for the 70% of the final assessment.

European Parliament & Council (EPC), Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the council of 23 July 2014 establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning, J. Eur. Union L257 (2014) 135–145.
UNESCO Intergovernamental Oceanografic Commission, Marine Spatial Planning Initiative, Marine Spatial Planning, 〈http://www.unesco-ioc-marinesp.be/ marine_spatial_planning_msp〉 (accessed 12.08.15).
UNESCO, Marine Spatial Planning Initiative, MSP Around the world, 〈http:// www.unesco-iocmarinesp.be/msp_around_the_world 〉 (accessed 12.08.15).
C. Ehler, F. Douvere, Marine spatial planning: a step-by-step approach toward ecosystem-based management, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Manual and Guides No. 53, ICAM Dossier no. 62009, UNESCO, Paris. 〈http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001865/186559e.pdf〉.
Carlucci R., Manea E., Ricci P., Cipriano G., Fanizza C., Maglietta R., Gissi E., Managing multiple pressures for cetaceans’ conservation with an Ecosystem Based Marine Spatial Planning approach, Journal of environmental management. 287, 112240, doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112240
Franzao-Santos C., Agardy T., Andrade F., Barange M., Calado H., Crowder L.B., Ehler C.N., García-Morales S., Gissi E., Halpern B., Orbach M.K., Pörtner H.O., Rosa R. (2020), Planning for sustainability in a changing ocean, Nature Sustainability, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0513-x.
Gissi E, McGowan J, Venier C, Di Carlo D, Musco F, Menegon S, Mackleworth P, Agardy T, Possingham H. 2018. Addressing transboundary conservation challenges through marine spatial prioritization. Conservation Biology, 32(5), 1107-1117