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Sustainable Resource Management

Course developers

Replaced course

VidZM002 [GVIDM002] Sustainable Resource Management

Course abstract

The study course aims to raise awareness of sustainable resource management issues, address environmental pollution, waste management problems, and raise awareness of the sustainable use of soil and the importance of biodiversity.
The course covers issues related to sustainable agriculture and forestry, soil resource management, water management, improving air quality, the importance of biodiversity, waste management and the key issues of implementing a circular economy.
The study course describes current issues and evaluates shortcomings in the current management of resources.
Lectures address issues of sustainable resource management, and practical work seeks solutions to optimize the use of resources and ensure their conservation.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

The master student will acquire knowledge: 1) about soil, water, air quality evaluation methods; 2) the importance of biological diversity in the context of sustainable resource management; 3) the introduction of a circular economy for sustainable resource management - practical works and a seminar.
The master student will acquire skills to: 1) use publicly available databases to survey the territory; 2) to define problem issues in a specific situation and territory; 3) to develop scientifically based and innovative solutions for sustainable resource management - practical works.
The master student will be competent to evaluate the possibilities of using the available databases for sustainable resource management, to evaluate the impact of economic activities on soil, water resources and air, to provide proposals for sustainable resource management - practical works.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Introduction to sustainable resource management, basic principles, planning and implementation solutions (2h)
2. Practical work: getting acquainted with the research area of the study project, creating a general description (1h)
3. Soil resource management, soil health, soil pollution abatement methods (1h)
4. Practical work: soil research in the study project area, definition of problems and development of possible solutions (2h)
5. Water management: water quality, water pollution abatement methods (1h)
6. Practical work: research of water resources in the territory of the study project, definition of problems and development of possible solutions (2h)
7. Air quality, air quality evaluation methods, air quality improvement (1h)
8. Practical work: air quality assessment in the study project research area, definition of problems and development of possible solutions (2h)
9. Sustainable agriculture and forestry (1h)
10. Practical work: research of agricultural and forest lands in the study project research area (2h)
11. The role of biodiversity in the context of sustainable resource management (1h)
12. Practical work: characterization of biological diversity in the study project area (2h)
13. Sustainable land management (1h)
14. Practical work: definition of problem issues in spatial planning in the study project research area, development of solutions (2h)
15. Waste management, types of waste, waste collection (1h)
16. Practical work: waste collection in the study project area, definition of problems and development of solutions (2h)
17. Introduction of circular economy principles (2h)
18. Practical work: recommendations for the implementation of the principles of circular economy in the research area of the study project (7h)
19. Seminar: oral presentation of the study project (3h)

Requirements for awarding credit points

Practical works have been developed and presented in time; a presentation has been prepared and successfully presented at the closing seminar.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

According to the instructions of the lecturer, 9 practical works are performed and submitted for evaluation within the term set by the lecturer.

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 cumulatively in the study course. If the deadlines for submission of practical work do not be met and 50 points are not obtained, the final exam must be taken.

Maximum points:
• Practical work - 90 points
• In the seminar - 10 points

Rating scale:
• mark is 4 if 50 ... 54 points are obtained;
• mark is 5 if 55 ... 59 points are obtained;
• mark is 6 if 60 ... 69 points are obtained;
• mark is 7 if 70 ... 79 points are obtained;
• mark is 8 if 80 ... 89 points are obtained;
• mark is 9 if 90 ... 94 points are obtained;
• mark is 10 if 95 ... 100 points are obtained.

Compulsory reading

1. Vide un ilgtspējīga attīstība., M.Kļaviņš, J.Zaļoksnis red. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2010. 336. lpp. ISBN 978-9984-45-220-3
2. Natural Resource Management: Ecological Perspectives. R. Peshin, A. K. Dhawan, ed. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2019. 276. p.lpp. ISBN 9783319997674
3. Rydén L., Migula P., Andersson M. Environmental Science: understanding, protecting, and managing the environment in the Baltic Sea region - Uppsala: Baltic University Press. 2003. p. 824 p.

Further reading

1. Valujeva K., Nipers A., Lupikis A., Schulte R. P. O. Assessment of soil functions: an example of meeting competing national and international obligations by harnessing regional diferences. // Frontiers in Environmental Science,. Vol. 8, Specialty section: Land Use Dynamic, 2020, Article 591695 Pieejams: https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.591695
2. Pilecka J., Grinfelde I., Straupe I., Purmalis O. The anthropogenic air pollution source identification in urban areas using snow sampling. / // In: Proceedings of the 8th international scientific conference "Rural Development 2017: Bioeconomy Challenges", Kaunas, Lithuania, 23-24 November, 2017. Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania. Kaunas, 2017,. p. 746-750.lpp. Pieejams: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2017.180
3. Atkritumu saimniecība. Latvijas Atkritumu saimniecības asociācija. Rīga: Latvijas Atkritumu saimniecības asociācija, 2007. 132 lpp.
4. Bioloģiski sadalāmo atkritumu apsaimniekošana. Rīga: Latvijas Atkritumu saimniecības asociācija, 2007. 102 lpp.
5. Burlakovs J., Jani Y., Kriipsalu M., Vincevica-Gaile Z., Kaczala F., Celma G., Ozola R., Rozina L., Rudovica V., Hogland M., Viksna A., Pehme K., Hogland W., Klavins M. On the way to ‘zero waste’ management: Recovery potential of elements, including rare earth elements, from fine fraction of waste. / Journal of Cleaner Production, No. 186, 2018, p. 81-90. Pieejams: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.03.102

Periodicals and other sources

1. Vides aizsardzības likums: LR likums [tiešsaiste]. Pieņemts 02.11.2006. Stājas spēkā 29.11.2006. [Skatīts 30.03.2022.]. 15.11.2006. Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/147917
2. Latvijas valsts meži. Digitālais kadastrs mājas lapa. Pieejams: https://lvmgeo.lvm.lv

Notes

The course of study is mandatory for the LLU VBF Masters Programme Environment, Water and Land Engineering full-time students.