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Lecturer(s)
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Kubečka Jan, prof. RNDr. CSc.
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Edwards Keith Raymond, doc. MSc. Ph.D.
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Course content
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Content of lectures: Thermodynamics of ecosystems.Water and energy cycling in natural and human systems. Primary and secondary production.Decomposition and the role of soil organisms. Energetics in human society. Content of practices: Measure heat balance and evapotranspiration in natural plant stands. Measure light capture by plant canopy in stands of dominant species. Determine the above and below ground biomass of dominant species in a natural system and calculate the primary production. Evaluate secondary production in small mammals. Excursion to a biofuels energy plant.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Individual preparation for exam, Practical training
- Class attendance
- 2 hours per semester
- Class attendance
- 72 hours per semester
- Class attendance
- 40 hours per semester
- Class attendance
- 30 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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To introduce students to the concepts of quantitative energy and matter pools and flows in natural trophic systems as well as human societies
Students are expected to learn basic information concerning energy and matter flows in ecological systems and how these are related to human actions.
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Prerequisites
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Students should have a basic understanding of ecology and a rudimentary knowledge of physics
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Test
Students will give a short presentation in class concerning a topic relevant to energy and matter flow in ecological and human systems. A final exam, based on the lectures, will be the basis for grading the students. Practical training will consist of field work with possible excursions in which the students will give a final presentation describing their results.
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Recommended literature
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Capra, F. 1996. The Web of Life. Anchor Books, New York..
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Duvigneaud, P. 1988. Ekologická syntéza. Academia, Praha..
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Dykyjová, D. 1990. Metody studia ekosystému. Academia, Praha..
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Losos, B. Et al. 1984. Ekologie živočichů. SPN, Praha..
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Moldan, B. 1994. Životní prostředí. Centrum UK pro ot. Živ. Prostř., Praha..
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Odum, E.P. 1973. Základy ekologie. Academia, Praha..
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Odum, H.T. 1971. Environment, Power and Society. Wiley-Interscience, New York..
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Pátý, L. Ed. 1979. Fyzika a ekologie. JČMF, Praha..
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Schrödinger, E. 1994. What Is Life? Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK..
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