Course code MežZ1007

Credit points 3

Biology of Forest Animals

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures16

Number of hours for laboratory classes16

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation16.03.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Forest Management

Course developer

author Mežsaimniecības institūts

Baiba Jansone

Ph.D.

Course abstract

Students to achieve knowledge about morphology, biology, ecology and influence of animals on ecosystems. Periodical appearance in the life of animals. Protected species of birds and mammals. Observations of general birds and mammals classes. Notion of useful and harmful species. Importance of animals in game management.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge about biology and ecology the animals in forest ecosystems.
Skills to determinate and to know to sight birds and mammals.
Competence to evaluate sense and place in in forest ecosystems.

Course Content(Calendar)


1. Birds and mammals in natural ecosystems, diversity, occurrence and importance of their fauna. 1 h
2. Impact of animals on ecosystems and its individual components. 1 h
3. Periodic phenomena of life of birds and mammals. 1.h.
4. Morphological and anatomical features of birds and mammals, body adaptations to the environment. 1 h
5. Galliformes and Columbiformes. Inspection work. 1 h
6. Geese. 1 h
7. Podicipediformes, Charadriiformes and Ciconiidae. Test.1h.
8. Falcons, owls, woodpeckers, Caprimulgiformes and Coraciiformes. 1 h
9. Passeriformes. Test. 1 h
10. Passeriformes. 1 h
11. Eulipotyphla, bats and hares. Test. 1 h
12. Rodents. 1 h.
13. Carnivora, its characteristics and significance. Test. 1 h
14. Carnivora, its characteristics and significance 1 h.
15. Artiodactyla (ungulates): elk, red deer, roe deer and wild boar.1 h
16. Artiodactyla (ungulates): elk, red deer, roe deer and wild boar. Test. 1 h

Requirements for awarding credit points

6 tests passed on time.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Acquired characteristic traits of the bird and mammal species, covered in the course.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Assessment of knowledge, skills and competences in 10 grade scale. Final grade is based on cumulative result of the tests. If the final grade is unacceptable, final exam needs to be passed.

Compulsory reading

1. Dreimanis A. Dzīvnieku ietekme uz ekosistēmām un tās vērtējums. Jelgava: LLU Mežkopības katedra, 2002. 11 lpp.
2. Dreimanis A. Putnu dzīves sezonālās parādības un ekoloģiskā piemērošanās. Jelgava: LLU, 2002. 16 lpp.
3. Gundega Kampe-Pērsona. Latvijas zīdītāji. Pilnīgs sugu apraksts.Zvaigzne ABC., 2017. 192 lpp.

Further reading

Naumovs N., Kartašovs N. Mugurkaulnieku zooloģija. Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1990. 528 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

Medības. Makšķerēšana. Daba. ISSN 1407-0537.