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Sustainable Water and Land Management Systems

Course developer

Course abstract

The study course aims to provide knowledge for understanding the role of land reclamation in ensuring suitable environmental conditions and promoting the development and implementation of innovative solutions under the balance in economic interests and environmental protection. The course addresses issues related to the selection of land reclamation measures appropriate for a particular type of land use and its sustainability. Land reclamation measures are supposed to ensure food quality and quantity, appropriate conditions for production, and a sustainable environment. In addition to economic interests, aspects such as biodiversity, water quality, air quality, soil degradation, and flood risks are analyzed during the course. The study course describes issues and evaluates the shortcomings of the current land management model. Students get acquainted with practically applied environmental protection measures. The practical works are organized to introduce students to methods for improving the existing practice and developing innovations.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

The student will gain knowledge about: 1) existing ameliorative practice and technical solutions; 2) the impact of amelioration measures on economic production; 3) the impact of amelioration measures on such environmental aspects that affect hydrological, hydrochemical, and biological processes, as well as air pollution and soil degradation. - exam and seminars
The student will be competent to evaluate the existing drainage solutions, and their sustainability, critically evaluate the economic benefits and impact on the environment. The student will be competent to perform integrated planning of ameliorative measures, including both economical and nature protection requirements - practical work
The student will acquire skills: 1) to creatively and scientifically adapt existing, as well as to develop innovative, optimally optimal solutions for sustainable area management; 2) to forecast possible changes in the environment depending on the area management and amelioration practices; 3) to plan integrated amelioration measures both at the local and regional level. - practical work

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Introduction, the content of the study course and literature; Land reclamation, land reclamation measures and overview of land reclamation in Latvia (3h);
2. Natural moisture regime, the impact of artificial drainage on moisture regime and hydrological processes in the area (3 h);
3. Impact of irrigation on crop productivity and nutrient loss (3 h);
4. Impact of agricultural practices and land reclamation measures on greenhouse gas emissions (3 h);
5. Land reclamation measures appropriate for introducing in protected ecosystems or nearby (3h);
6. Impact of amelioration measures on flood risks and measures preventing the flood risk (3h);
7. The principles of hydrogeological processes and their application in the planning of ameliorative measures; Types of amelioration measures to increase crop productivity and reduce leaching of nutrients from agricultural areas (in-field practice); Instructions for individual work to prepare for the seminar (3 h);
8. Seminar - factors influencing erosion processes and soil structure; factors influencing the processes of migration and transformation of nutrients in the soil; measures affecting the chemical properties of the soil; factors influencing the development of vegetation (3 h);
9. Practical work - development of a nature-friendly measure to reduce soil erosion and leaching of nutrients 1 - development of a measure design (3 h);
10. Practical work - development of a nature-friendly measure to reduce soil erosion and nutrients leaching 2 - estimates of appropriate parameters for the measure (3 h);
11. Practice to improve hydro-morphological conditions and water quality to be integrated in watercourse beds (3 h);
12. Seminar – In-stream processes of sediments and solutes, hydro-morphological conditions of the bed influencing the biological quality of the watercourse (3 h);
13. Practical work - development of a nature-friendly measure in watercourses, defining restrictions and performing estimates of constructive parameters (3 h);
14. Measures to reduce the in-stream erosion risk (3 h);
15. Measures in an urban area to ensure the appropriate soil moisture regime and protect the building area. Blue-green solutions (3 h);
16. Integrated planning of amelioration activities at a local and regional level; Practical work - assessment of the most important factors to balance the interests of economic and environmental protection (protection of water, air, soil, and biodiversity and mitigation of flood risks) at the regional level (3 h).

Requirements for awarding credit points

Successfully passed the exam; prepared and successfully demonstrated presentations in seminars; developed and successfully defended practical works.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Each student independently prepares presentations for two seminars according to the instructions and coordination of the lecturer. Appropriate scientific and practical literature should be selected and analyzed, the outcomes should be compared, summarized, and individual conclusions should be drawn.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Student performance is assessed cumulatively. A maximum of 100 points can be obtained during the semester. At least 50 points must be obtained to succeed.
The total amount of points that can be received during the semester:
• 25 points in the exam;
• In seminars 30 p;
• Practical works 45 p.
The total amount of points received during the semester are applied for determining the final grade as follows:
50 ... 54 points - 4 (almost satisfactory);
55 ... 59 points - 5 (satisfactory);
60 ... 69 points - 6 (almost good);
70 ... 79 points - 7 (good);
80 ... 89 points - 8 (very good);
90 ... 94 points - 9 (excellent);
> 95 points - 10 (with distintion)

Compulsory reading

1. Kļaviņš U., Sudārs R. Meliorācija: mācību līdzeklis. Jelgava: LLU, 2010. 224 lpp.
2. Zīverts A. Pazemes ūdeņu hidroloģija. Jelgava:, LLU,: 2001. 81 lpp.
3. Lagzdiņš A. Grinberga L. Veinbergs A. Trifane A. Rokasgrāmata par videi draudzīgu elementu ierīkošanu meliorācijas sistēmās. Zemgales Plānošanas reģions. Jelgava, 2018. ISBN 978-9934-19-755-0. Pieejams: https://zemniekusaeima.lv/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Gr%C4%81mata_Par-videi-draudz%C4%ABgu-elementu-ier%C4%ABko%C5%A1anu-melior%C4%81cijas-sist%C4%93m%C4%81s.pdf

Further reading

1. Urtāne L., Urtāns A.V. Videi draudzīga meliorācija. 1. daļa: Ūdenstecēm raksturīgo bioloģisko funkciju nodrošināšana ūdensnotekās. Vadlīnijas bioloģiskās daudzveidības uzturēšanai ūdensnotekās un meliorācijas grāvjos un plūdu risku mazināšanai [tiešsaiste]. Rīga, 2018. [Skatīts 30.03.2022.] Pieejamsa: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GwOKxmRYhXvrVzWJaUu-OdG77riwZEke/view
2. Urtāne L. Urtāns A.V. (2018) Videi draudzīga meliorācija. 2. daļa: Ūdensnoteku apsaimniekošana, to bioloģisko funkciju nodrošināšanai. Vadlīnijas bioloģiskās daudzveidības uzturēšanai ūdensnotekās un meliorācijas grāvjos un plūdu risku mazināšanai. Rīga: 2018. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 30.03.2022.]. Pieejams: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FSuYyMoWZ6Gi_rXaGhnMJiOWRPrQ_VIT/view
3. Carolus J. F., Bartosova A., Olsen S. B., Jomaa S., Veinbergs A., Zilāns A., … Tonderski K. Nutrient mitigation under the impact of climate and land-use changes: A hydro- economic approach to participatory catchment management. Journal of Environmental Management, No. 271, 2020, p. 1-13. Pieejams: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110976
4. Carstensen M. V., Hashemi F., Hoffmann C. C., Zak D., Audet J., & Kronvang B. (2020). Efficiency of mitigation measures targeting nutrient losses from agricultural drainage systems: A review. Ambio, No. 64, 2020, p. 1-18. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 30.03.2022.]. Helloo (The Netherlands): The SCAPE Advisory Board; 2006. Pieejams: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-020-01345-5
5. Imeson A., Arnoldussen A., De la Rosa D., Montanaralla L., Dorren L., Curfs M., Arnalds O., van Asselen S. Soil Conservation and Protection in Europe - The Way Ahead. The SCAPE Advisory Board. 2006. Pieejams: http://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC32727
6. Povilaitis A., Rudzianskaite A., Misevicien, S., Gasiunas V., Miseckaite O., Živatkauskiene I. Efficiency of Drainage Practices for Improving Water Quality in Lithuania. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), No. 61(1), 2018, p. 179-196. Pieejams: https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.12271
7. Deelstra J., Iital A., Povilaitis A., Kyllmar K., Greipsland I., Blicher-Mathiesen G., … Koskiaho J. Hydrological Pathways and Nitrogen Runoff in Agricultural Dominated Catchments in Nordic and Baltic Countries. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, No. 195, 2014, p. 211-219. Pieejams: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AGEE.2014.06.007
8. van Aart R., Bos M. G., Braun H. M. H., Lenselink K. J., Ritzema H. P., van Alphen J. G., … van Manen, J. Drainage principles and applications: book review. Agricultural Water Management, ( Vol. 31(3) ), 1996, p. 307-309. Pieejams: https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-3774(96)84103-5
9. Lennartz B., Janssen M., Tiemeyer B. Effects of Artificial Drainage on Water Regime and Solute Transport at Different Spatial Scales. In: Soil hydrology, land use and agriculture: measurement and modelling. M. K. Shukla (Ed.). Wallingford: CABI, 2011, p. 384-414. Pieejams: https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845937973.0000

Periodicals and other sources

1. Noteikumi par Latvijas būvnormatīvu LBN 224-15. Meliorācijas sistēmas un hidrotehniskās būves: MK noteikumi Nr. 329 [tiešsaiste]: MK noteikumi Nr. 329 [tiešsaiste]. Pieņemts: 30.06.2015. Stājas spēkā: 01.07.2015. [Skatīts 30.03.2022.]. Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/274993-noteikumi-par-latvijas-buvnormativu-lbn-224-15-melioracijas-sistemas-un-hidrotehniskas-buves-
2. Latvijas valsts meži. Digitālais kadastrs mājas lapa. Pieejams: https://lvmgeo.lvm.lv
3. Kārtība, kādā piešķir valsts un Eiropas Savienības atbalstu atklātu projektu konkursu veidā pasākumam "Ieguldījumi materiālajos aktīvos": MK noteikumi Nr 600 [tiešsaiste]. Pieņemts: 30.09.2014. Stājas spēkā: 31.10.2014. [Skatīts 30.03.2022.]. Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/269868-kartiba-kada-pieskir-valsts-un-eiropas-savienibas-atbalstu-atklatu-projektu-konkursu-veida-pasakumam-ieguldijumi-materialajos

Notes

The course is included in limited choice electives of academic master's study programme "Environmental, Water and Land Engineering" full-time studies