Course code

MLJ6125.LT

old course code

Course title in Estonian

Looduskaitse ja looduskaitsekorraldus

Course title in English

Nature Conservation and Management

ECTS credits

3.0

Assessment form

Examination

lecturer of 2023/2024 Spring semester

Piret Vacht (language of instruction:Estonian)

lecturer of 2024/2025 Autumn semester

Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.

Course aims

To give an overview of the theoretical principles and future directions of conservation biology. Explain the importance of biological diversity (including genetic and functional biodiversity) and environmental condition as a part of conservation biology and nature protection and the factors influencing these aspects. Help students understand the legal principles and regulatory mechanisms that control nature protection. Support students in developing the analytical skills at developing protection regulation strategies and evaluating the sucess of nature procection activities

Brief description of the course

The course gives an overview on the basic concepts of conservation biology and nature protection both on theoretical level and its applications. The methods used to evaluate ecosystem functioning are discussed. An overview is given of the factors influencing environmental conditions, ecosystems and organisms and their need for protection. All levels of biological diversity are discussed and their importance in nature protection management explored. Also different methods for nature protection are explained together with their regulative mechanisms.
The course consists of lectures, seminars and independent work. In the seminars the articles read at home are discussed and group works conducted, presentations made.

Learning outcomes in the course

Upon completing the course the student:
- understands the goals, tasks, theoretical principles and levels of conservation biology and nature protection;
- knows the basic principles taken into account when evaluating ecosystem conditions and need for species protection;
- knows what factors influence the need for nature protections;
- understands how biological diversity levels are linked to ecosystem functioning;
- had an overview of the current issues in conservation biology and nature protection (management) and the future tasks;
- is able to find information about ecosystems and their components (i.e. species, environmental conditions) and the legal framework regulating their protection;
- understands the differences in species, population and ecosystem protection;
- knows what a nature protection strategy is and is able to analyze it and comply a simplified nature protection strategy;
- is able to evaluate the success of nature conservation/protection based on case studies;
- understands the importance of communication as a part of nature conservation/protection.

Teacher

PhD Piret Vacht

Study programmes containing that course

Swedish Philology (GRR3B/24)
Recreation Management (TSRKB/24.LT)
Swedish Philology (GRR3B/23)
Recreation Management (TSRKB/23.LT)
Swedish Philology (GRR3B/22)
Environmental Management (MLKSB/21.LT)
Environmental Management (MLKSB/20.LT)
Environmental Management (MLKSB/19.LT)
Environmental Management (MLKSB/18.LT)