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Species and Habitat Protection

Course developer

Course abstract

Study course examines the prior problems of policy of environmental protection in Latvia. The biodiversity is described. Students obtain knowledge about development of forest vegetation in Latvia after ice-age. The boreal coniferous, European broad-leaved, Eurosibirian black-alder forests, their habitats, structural elements and characteristic species are analysed. Woodland key habitats are defined. The protection of forest habitats and species is inspected.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

1.Knowledge – the characteristics and the recognition of forest groups in Latvia, woodland key habitats and related biological diversity
– test, practical works, seminar;
2.Skills – the definition of woodland key habitats, the description of structural elements important for biodiversity and characteristic species in forest habitats - test, practical works, seminar;
3.Competence – the analysis of biodiversity in forest habitats, the planning and the recommendations for forest habitat management, the assessment of woodland key habitats and related biodiversity conservation potential - test, practical works, seminar.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Priority issues of environmental policy in Latvia.
2. The concept of biodiversity.
3. Development of vegetation in Latvia after the Ice Age.
4. Boreal (northern) coniferous forests.
5. Boreal (northern) coniferous forests.
6. European nemoral broad-leaved forests.
7. European nemoral broad-leaved forests.
8. Eurosibirian black alder swamp forests.
9. Eurosibirian black alder swamp forests.
10. The forest meadows. The edges of forests. The water in the forests .
Test “Biological diversity in the forest. The forest groups”.
11. The mires and bogs, their classification. The protection of mires and bogs.
12. The woodland key habitats.
13. The special habitat species and indicator species. The structural elements in the forest.
14. The management of the woodland key habitats.
15. The problems and the solutions for species and habitat protection.
16. Seminar “The problems and the solutions for species and habitat protection”

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The seminar: the preparation of the individual presentation about “The problems and the solutions for species and habitat protection”.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The assessment of the study course is based on the cumulative assessment of the test and the seminar (the individual presentation). In the case of refinement of the mark, the student answers additional questions.
The test is successful if at least 50% of the questions are answered correctly. The seminar (the individual presentation) is evaluated in accordance with the established assessment procedure (the content of presentation, presentation, discussion and answers to questions).

Compulsory reading

1. Latvijas biotopi. Rīga: Latvijas dabas fonds, 2001. 96 lpp.
2. Mežaudžu atslēgas biotopu rokasgrāmata. Rīga: VMD, 2000. 127 lpp.
3. Sugu un biotopu aizsardzība mežā. Rīga: Dabas aizsardzības pārvalde, 2006. 96 lpp.
4. ES Eiropas Savienības aizsargājamie biotopi Latvijā. Noteikšanas rokasgrāmata. Rīga: LDF, 2010. 319 lpp. Pieejama: http://www.vidm.gov.lv/in_site/tools/download.php?file=files/text/Likumd/vidm_rik//Rokasgramata.pdf

Further reading

1. Dabisko meža biotopu inventarizācija Latvijas valsts mežos [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 25.04.2012.]. Pieejams:. http://www.vmd1.gov.lv/doc_upl/Nosleguma_parskats.pdf
2. Dabisko meža biotopu apsaimniekošana. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 25.04.2012.]. Pieejams: http://www.vmd.gov.lv/index.php?sadala=292&id=330&ord=99

Periodicals and other sources

1. Vides Vēstis. Rīga: Vides aizsardzības klubs. ISSN 1407-2939
2. Latvijas Veģetācija. Rīga: Latvijas Universitātes Bioloģijas institūts. ISSN 1407-3641
3. Mežzinātne. Salaspils: LVMI Silava. ISSN 1407-270X