Lecturer(s)
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Glocker Bernhard, MSc.
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Edwards Keith Raymond, doc. MSc. Ph.D.
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Course content
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Content of lectures: Problems with command and control management approaches. What is ecosystem management? Adaptive management, as originally conceived. Problems and criticisms of ecosystem and adaptive management approaches. Theoretical bases for ecosystem management and complex adaptive systems. Resiliency. Newer versions of integrative approaches such PANARCHY, Integrated constructed wetlands, etc Scenarios and their role in ecosystem management. Introduction to environmental ethics. Content of practices: Semester project in which the students will write and present information on a topic relevant to ecosystem management.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Individual preparation for exam
- Class attendance
- 40 hours per semester
- Semestral paper
- 20 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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In the past, management actions usually were narrowly-focused and for limited purposes. The results were ineffective, unsatisfactory, or even undesirable. It has been recognized that these past efforts did not consider adequately the inter-connections and complexities of ecological systems. Several conceptual models of a more holistic approach developed almost concurrently, including integrated environmental management, watershed management, and ecosystem management. These more integrated management approaches have quickly become the preferred method of natural resource agencies in many countries. The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the conceptual and theoretical framework of these approaches and how well the theory is applied in practice. To do this, examples of actual management projects will bepresented and the reasons for their success, or lack of it, will be discussed. A semester project, focused on a current management problem in the Czech Republic, will provide students with first-hand experience. An additional objective of the course is to help improve the students understanding of English. To do this, the lectures will be presented in English; Czech summaries of each lecture will also be provided.
The students are expected to learn the concepts behind holistic, integrated environmental management approaches as well as examples of such approaches.
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Prerequisites
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Students should have a good understanding of general ecology as well as an interest in environmental and natural resource management.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Combined exam
A good understanding of general ecology
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Recommended literature
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Alcamo, J. et al. 2003. Millenium Ecosystem Assessment: Ecosystems and Human Well-being. Island Press, Washington DC, USA. .
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Gunderson, L.H. and C.S. Holling. 2002. Panarchy. Island Press, Washington, DC, USA..
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Christensen, N. L. et al. 1996. The report of the Ecological Society of America Committee on the Scientific Basis for Ecosystem Management. Ecological Applications 6: 665-691..
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Johnson, N. C., A. J. Malk, R. C. Szaro, and W. T. Sexton. 1999. Ecological Stewardship: A Common Reference for Ecosystem Management. Elsevier Press, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .
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Pirot, J. V., P. J. Meynell, and D. Elder. 2000. Ecosystem Management: Lessons from Around the World. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland .
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Savory, A. 1999. Holistic Management. Island Press, Washington, D. C..
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van Eeten, M.J.G. and E. Roe. 2002. Ecology, Engineering and Management. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK..
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