Course code Biol3001
Credit points 5.25
Ecology
Total Hours in Course140
Number of hours for lectures40
Number of hours for seminars and practical classes16
Date of course confirmation16.11.2011
Responsible UnitInstutute of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering
Course developer
Ritvars Sudārs
Dr. sc. ing.
Course abstract
Humans, environmental issues, their causes and sustainability. The ecological background: biosphere, ecosystems and its components, energy flow and matter cycling. Resources and sustainable resource management. Nature protection. Biodiversity in aquatic and terrestrial systems. Environmental quality: assessment and mitigation of water, air and soil pollution. Impact of agriculture on biodiversity, soil erosion, pesticides and nutrients. Solid and hazardous waste. Environmental problems: climate change, depletion and air pollution. Environmental economics and politics.
Learning outcomes and their assessment
1. The course develops knowledge and understanding of the conceptual foundation of ecology and environmental science, describe solutions for most important environmental problems, gives students insight to the theoretical and practical issues of Ecology and Environmental Protection. 2. The course enables students with an ability of critical thinking to discern facts and will help them to analyze environmental issues relevant with the scope of course works, projects and graduation works in the field of studies. 3. The course elaborates competence to use the basic ecological principles that govern the solving of environmental problems that students can then bring to elaborate their projects and research approaches on relevant issues in their field of studies.
Compulsory reading
1. M. Kļaviņš (red.). Vides zinātne. LU akadēmiskais apgāds. 2008. 599. lpp.
2. M. Kļaviņš un J.Zaļoksnis (red.). Vides un ilgtspējīga attīstība. LU akadēmiskais apgāds. 2010. 334. lpp.
3. J.Švarcbahs, R.Sudārs, V.Jansons, A.Zīverts, U.Kļaviņš, Ē.Dreimanis, P.Bušmanis. Ekoloģija un vides aizsardzība. Mācību līdzeklis.- Jelgava. LLU, 2006. 225 lpp.
4. L.Ruden, P.Migula & M.Anderson. Environmental science. The Baltic University Press. Uppsala, Sweden. 2003. P. 824.
Further reading
1. G.Tyler Miller. Living in the Environment. 12th edition. Thomson learning. USA. 2002. 758 P.
2. P.H.Raven, L.R.Berg. Environment. Harcourt College Publishers. USA. 2001. 612 P.
3. Ekoloģijas un vides aizsardzības definīcijas un skaidrojumi. – Jelgava: LLU, 1996. 50 lpp.
Periodicals and other sources
1. Vides politikas pamatnostādnes 2009. – 2015.gadam. [tiešsaiste]. [Skatīts 08.06.2011.] Pieejams: http://www.vidm.gov.lv/lat/pol/ppd/files/text/dokumenti//Pamatnostadnes-WWW.doc
2. LR likums “Vides aizsardzības likums”. - R: 02.11.2006. [tiešsaiste]. Pieņemts 02.11.2006. Stājas spēkā 29.11.2006. Ar grozījumiem. [Skatīts 10.06.2011.]. Pieejams: http://www.likumi.lv/doc.php?mode=DOC&id=147917
3. LR likums “Par īpaši aizsargājamām dabas teritorijām”. - R: 02.03.1993. [tiešsaiste]. Pieņemts 25.03.1993. Stājas spēkā 07.04.1993. Ar grozījumiem. [Skatīts 24.11.2011.]. Pieejams: http://www.likumi.lv/doc.php?id=59994