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Lecturer(s)
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Janíková Lenka, Ing. Ph.D.
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Course content
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Week 1 Introduction to environmental theory. Earth as a global ecosystem. Ecology and environmental science - differences and common themes. Sustainability as an approach based on ecology. Evolution of the concept of sustainable development (pillars, history, Agenda 21). Week 2 Biosphere - ecology of populations, communities and ecosystems. Changes in human population growth in history and in the present and associated changes in the environment. Basics of sustainable development of human society. Week 3 Global environmental problems of the environment - disruption of global systems, biodiversity loss, resource exploitation, unequal distribution of wealth and resources. Current status. Week 4 Atmosphere - structure, composition, properties. Basic atmospheric chemistry. Climate. Climatic ecological factors. Week 5 Self-cleaning capacity of the atmosphere. Ozone layer. Greenhouse effect and carbon footprint. Major pollutants in the atmosphere and their impacts on natural ecosystems. Use of nature-based approaches to improve environmental quality. Week 6 Hydrosphere - components, water cycle as a global cycle, importance of water for humans and the environment. Hydric ecological factors. Week 7 The self-cleaning capacity of the hydrosphere. The main pollutants of the hydrosphere, including modern pollutants (microplastics, nanoparticles, pharmaceuticals, hormone disruptors, detergents, etc.) and their impact on natural ecosystems. Eutrophication of waters. Week 8 The Earth's body - structure and composition of the different layers. Rock composition. Relief. Plate tectonics and environmental changes. Mining and its impact on the environment - reclamation options. Energy - renewable energy sources and their impact on natural ecosystems. Week 9 Pedosphere - importance, ecological and production functions, composition, properties. Pedogenesis - soil macro- and micro-processes. Humus formation. Edaphon and edaphic ecological factors. Week 10 Negative influences on soil - mechanical (erosion, pedocompaction), chemical (heavy metals, pesticides, salinization, acidification, nitrates, eutrophication, etc.) and other types of degradation (encroachment, desertification, deforestation). Changes in the environment and biosphere caused by anthropogenic activities (e.g. agricultural production). Sustainable approaches to farmland management (substitutes for chemical pesticides, precision farming, RES in agriculture, etc.). Week 11 Waste management - waste management hierarchy (prevention, reuse, energy recovery, disposal). New approaches and technologies for sustainable waste management. Accidents associated with waste management (Love Canal etc.) and their impacts on human health and natural ecosystems. Microplastics in the environment, garbage spills in the oceans. Week 12 Physical pollution - noise, vibration, ionizing radiation, heat and light pollution. Impacts on human health and natural ecosystems. Week 13 Protection of the environment - approach to protection at Czech and international level. Assessment of environmental damage - concept of ecosystem services. Sustainable practices in public space and everyday life.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Dialogic (discussion, interview, brainstorming), Work with text (with textbook, with book)
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Learning outcomes
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This course should provide a comprehensive view of the environmental pillar of sustainable development. Students should acquire sufficient theoretical knowledge of ecology and environmental science supported by real examples from nature, waste management, agricultural or production practice.
After completing this course, students should have a comprehensive idea of the functioning of natural processes and phenomena, but also of their transformation by anthropogenic action. In addition, this course should introduce students to the possibilities of applied ecology in the development of sustainable approaches applicable not only in the protection of the environment but also in the creation of public space, etc.
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Prerequisites
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Basic knowledge of ecology and environmental protection at secondary school level.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Oral examination, Home assignment evaluation
Elaboration of the assigned topic of the semester project. Successful completion of the oral exam.
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Recommended literature
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Antropocén. Praha: Academia, 2020. ISBN 978-80-200-3129-7.
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Environmentální výzkum a hrozby 21. století. Praha: Univerzita Karlova, Nakladatelství Karolinum, 2022. ISBN 978-80-246-4954-2.
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Příležitosti a výzvy environmentálního výzkumu. Praha: Karolinum, 2015. ISBN 978-80-246-2667-3.
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Antonio A. R Ioris. Agriculture, environment and development : international perspectives on water, land and politics. 2016. ISBN 978-3-319-32254-4.
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Frouz, Jan. Aplikovaná ekologie. Praha: Univerzita Karlova, nakladatelství Karolinum, 2021. ISBN 978-80-246-4577-3.
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Marek, Michal V.. Klimatická změna - příčiny, dopady a adaptace. Praha: Academia, 2022. ISBN 978-80-200-3362-8.
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Šantrůčková, Hana. Ekologie půdy. České Budějovice: Jihočeská univerzita v Českých Budějovicích, 2018. ISBN 978-80-7394-695-1.
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Townsend, Colin R.. Základy ekologie. Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého, 2010. ISBN 978-80-244-2478-1.
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