| Course ID: | PBS-SE>EZOP |
| Course title: | ECOLOGY WITH THE ELEMENTS OF NATURE CONSERVATION |
| Semester: | 3 / Winter |
| ECTS: | 3 |
| Lectures/Classes: | 15 / 15 hours |
| Field of study: | Applied Plant Biotechnology |
| Study cycle: | 1st cycle |
| Type of course: | compulsory |
| Prerequisites: | botany, zoology, ecology, soil science |
| Contact person: | Ludwik Żołnierz ludwik.zolnierz@upwr.edu.pl |
| Short description: | The course familiarizes students with the applied ecology issues related to the threats of biodiversity and with the basics of modern methods of nature conservation. Students learn the biological basics of threats, as well as how to protect nature at various levels of the organization of life: from the level of population, through the ecosystem up to the ecological landscape. The main attention is focused on the specifics of the threats and how to actively protect the main types of habitats of Central Europe, especially in cultural landscapes. |
| Full description: | During the lectures, students learn: • ecological issues related to the threats of biological diversity at the levels of population, ecosystems and the landscape; • current and future problems of the threats and the conservation of biodiversity on a global scale; • methods of active protection of species and habitats. In the course of the classes: • students learn the issues concerning the specifics of the main types of Polish ecosystems in lowland and mountain areas, their threats and techniques of active protection; • students present the issues regarding various aspects of threats and conservation, and discuss them; • students prepare action plan of nature conservation for a particular area of the cultural landscape using materials provided by the instructor. |
| Bibliography: | Groom M.J., Meffe G.K., Ronald Caroll C. and Contributors. 2006. Principles of Conservation Biology. Third Edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Publishers. Primack R.B. 2006. Essentials of Conservation Biology. Fourth Edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Publishers. Pullin A.S. 2012. Conservation Biology. Cambridge University Press. IUCN Standards and Petitions Subcommittee. 2010. Guidelines for Using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Version 8.1. Complementary/optional: Krebs C.J. 2011. Ecology. The Experimental Analysis of Distribution and Abundance, sixth edition. Pearson Education Inc. Mackenzie A., Ball A.S., Virdee S.R. 2001. Instant Notes in Ecology. Taylor & Francis |
| Learning outcomes: | Knowledge Student knows the essence of the basic processes taking place in the ecosystem, ecosystem components, elements of description of the structure of plant community, the general principles of population ecology Student knows the issues concerning biodiversity at its various levels. He knows the characteristics of the main ecosystems occurring in Poland, their threats and ways of conservation. He knows the basic regulations and the organization system of the nature conservation in Poland as well as the principles of cooperation in the implementation of international conventions and programs. He knows the rules of nature conservation in the conditions of the agricultural landscape. Skills Student is able to analyze data concerning the natural environment. Student is able to prepare a action plan for the nature conservation of an area on a local scale with the use of different sources of information. Social competences Student is aware of the need for constant continuing further education. He is aware of the social significance of the problems related to the conservation of nature as an important component of the national heritage. Student is aware of the need for ethics in his professional activity; understands the need for a professional occupation, recognizes the need to fully inform the public about the dangers associated with the use of methods and plant protection products. Student is able to work in small teams, which is proved by preparing action plan for the nature conservation of the area of a cultural landscape. |
| Assessment methods and assessment criteria: | grade obtained at classes (50%) + grade obtained at lectures (50%) |