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Diversity of Ecosystems

Course developers

Course abstract

The study course aims to understand the significance of biologically valuable ecosystems and appropriate management and conservation methods. The study course deals with the national programme of biological diversity. Classification and criteria for biologically valuable ecosystems are given. Specially protected species and specially protected habitats are described. The monitoring of biodiversity is described and analyzed.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Upon the completion of this course, student:
1. knows the principles of national programme and subprograms of biodiversity, and the classification criteria of biologically valuable ecosystems, – 1st, 2nd, 3rd seminars;
2. can characterize and recognize biologically valuable ecosystems, protected habitats and protected species, explain the principles of their monitoring – discussion;
3. is able to analyze and evaluate the results of biodiversity monitoring, previse and solve the possibilities to maintain and to manage biodiversity in different ecosystems, especially in forest – the individual work.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. The politics of environmental conservation in Latvia. The priority problems of environmental conservation. (2 h)
2. The national program of biodiversity. (1h)
3. The criteria and management of biologically valuable ecosystems. (1 h)
4. Forest groups in Latvia. Especially protected forests habitats of European Union. 1st seminar.(3 h)
5. Especially protected species in forest habitats. Especially protected species of microreserves. (1h)
6. Especially protected grassland habitats of European Union. 2ndseminar. (2h)
7. Especially protected mires habitats of European Union. (1h)
8. Especially protected coastal habitats of European Union. 3rd seminar. (2h)
9. Monitoring of biodiversity. (2h)
10. Habitat and species monitoring subprograms. (1h)
11. Baltic Sea habitats and species monitoring subprogram. (1h)
12. Forest habitat and species monitoring subprogram. (2 h)
13. Mires habitat and species monitoring subprogram. (1h)
14. Lakes and rivers habitat and species monitoring subprogram. 4th Seminar and discussion. (1h)
15. Species monitoring subprograms. (1 h)
16. The presentation of the individual work. 5th Seminar (2h)

Requirements for awarding credit points

The student's performance in the study course is assessed by a test with a mark. It is necessary to attend lectures and practical work in the study course in the amount of 75%, or it is allowed to acquire the study course according to an individual plan. It is necessary to prepare individually and defend an essay - presentation.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The student must individually prepare for three seminars and discussion, develop individual work, and prepare a presentation. Lecturer coordinates individual work.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The assessment of the study course (the test with mark) is based on the cumulative assessment of the results of seminars, discussion and individual work. In the case of refinement of the mark, the student answers additional questions. The seminars and discussion are evaluated in accordance with the established assessment procedure - to prepare answers to all questions of the seminars and discussion.

Compulsory reading

1.Bioloģiskās daudzveidības nacionālā programma [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 02.03.2020.].Pieejams:http://www.vidm.gov.lv/files/text/biol_daudzveid_nac_progr.doc
2. Bioloģiskās Daudzveidības Nacionālās programmas ieviešana [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 02.03.2020.]. Pieejams: http://www.varam.gov.lv/lat/darbibas_veidi/daba/dabas_aizsardzibas_projekti/?doc=2924
3. Bioloģiskā daudzveidība Latvijā [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 02.03.2020.]. Pieejams: http://biodiv.lvgma.gov.lv/
4. Eiropas Savienības aizsargājamie biotopi Latvijā. Noteikšanas rokasgrāmata. 2.papildināts izdevums, A.Auniņa red., Rīga, Latvijas Dabas fonds, Vides aizsardzības un reģionālās attīstības ministrija, 2013. 320 lpp. Pieejams:
https://www.daba.gov.lv/upload/File/Publikacijas/ROKASGR_biotopi_LV.pdf
5. Aizsargājamo biotopu saglabāšanas vadlīnijas Latvijā. Pieejams:
https://www.daba.gov.lv/upload/File/Publikacijas_b_vadlinijas/GRAM_17_biotopu_vadlinijas_6_Mezi.pdf
https://www.daba.gov.lv/upload/File/Publikacijas_b_vadlinijas/GRAM_17_biotopu_vadlinijas_3_dabiskas_plavas_ganibas_1d.pdf
https://www.daba.gov.lv/upload/File/Publikacijas_b_vadlinijas/GRAM_17_biotopu_vadlinijas_3_dabiskas_plavas_ganibas_2d.pdf
https://www.daba.gov.lv/upload/File/Publikacijas_b_vadlinijas/GRAM_17_biotopu_vadlinijas_3_dabiskas_plavas_ganibas_3d.pdf
https://www.daba.gov.lv/upload/File/Publikacijas_b_vadlinijas/GRAM_17_biotopu_vadlinijas_3_dabiskas_plavas_ganibas_4d_a.pdf
https://www.daba.gov.lv/upload/File/Publikacijas_b_vadlinijas/GRAM_17_biotopu_vadlinijas_3_dabiskas_plavas_ganibas_4d_b.pdf
https://www.daba.gov.lv/upload/File/Publikacijas_b_vadlinijas/GRAM_17_biotopu_vadlinijas_3_dabiskas_plavas_ganibas_pie.pdf
https://www.daba.gov.lv/upload/File/Publikacijas_b_vadlinijas/GRAM_17_biotopu_vadlinijas_1_piejura_1d.pdf
https://www.daba.gov.lv/upload/File/Publikacijas_b_vadlinijas/GRAM_17_biotopu_vadlinijas_1_piejura_2d.pdf
https://www.daba.gov.lv/upload/File/Publikacijas_b_vadlinijas/GRAM_17_biotopu_vadlinijas_4_purvi_avoti_avoksnaji.pdf
6. Ikauniece S. (ed.) 2017. Protected Habitat Management Guidelines for
Latvia. Volume 6. Forests. Nature Conservation Agency. Sigulda. ISBN
978-9934-8703-5-4
7.Rūsiņa S. (ed.) 2017. Protected Habitat Management Guidelines for
Latvia. Volume 3. Semi-natural Grasslands. Nature Conservation Agency.
Sigulda. ISBN 978-9934-8703-2-3
8.Priede A. (ed.) 2017. Protected Habitat Management Guidelines for
Latvia. Volume 4. Mires and springs. Nature Conservation Agency. Sigulda. ISBN 978-9934-8703-3-0

Further reading

1. Monitoring and Indicators of Forest Biodiversity in Europe [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 02.03.2020.]. Pieejams: http://www.iufro.org/download/file/4772/4508/80701-40205-40206-florence03_pdf/
2. Urtāns A.V. (ed.) 2017. Protected Habitat Management Guidelines for
Latvia. Volume 2. Rivers and Lakes. Nature Conservation Agency.
Sigulda. ISBN 978-9934-8703-1-6
3.Laime B. (ed.) 2017. Protected Habitat Management Guidelines for
Latvia. Volume 1. Coastal, Inland Dune and Heath Habitats. Nature
Conservation Agency. Sigulda. ISBN 978-9934-8703-0-9
4.Čakare I. (ed.) 2017. Protected Habitat Management Guidelines for
Latvia. Volume 5. Outcrops and caves. Nature Conservation Agency. Sigulda. ISBN 978-9934-8703-4-7

Periodicals and other sources

1. Vides vēstis. Rīga: Vides aizsardzības klubs. ISSN 1407-2939
2. Rakstu krājums "Mežzinātne". Salaspils: LVMI Silava. ISSN 1407-270X 3. Rakstu krājums "Latvijas veģetācija". Rīga: Latvijas Universitātes Bioloģijas institūts. ISSN 1407-3641

Notes

The course is included in choice electives of bachelour’s study programme "Forest science" full-time studies.