Content (Syllabus outline)
Basic concepts of community ecology and ecosystem ecology. Comparison of natural and agricultural ecosystems. Classifications of agroecosystems. Agroecosystem services. Historic development of agriculture and the conversion of natural ecosystems (forests, savanna, prairie) to different agroecosystems. Comparative ecology of agroecosystems (croplands, grasslands, pastures, permanent crops, agroforestry).
Habitat types and plant communities of agricultural landscape – typology, vulnerability and conservation, mapping of habitat types. Main weed, grassland and forest communities of central Europe and their indicative value. Basic concepts of landscape ecology. Geographic information systems in nature conservation.
Evolution and domestication of agricultural crops in relation to their functional traits and to agroecosystems.
Concept of soil health and soil quality. Main parameters of soil health. Calculation of soil health indices. Soil organisms and their role in nutrient cycling, purification capacity and ecosystem self-regulation of plant pests. Effects of agriculture on soil health.
Energy and nutrient flux within an agroecosystem at different intensities of agricultural production. Environmental aspects of use of pesticides, mineral and organic fertilizers and other substances in agriculture. Measure for the protection of agroecosystem multifunctionality and sustainability: crop rotation, reduced tillage, buffer zones, fertilization. Integration of animal production into agroecosystem.
Farm and village as a part of an agroecosystem: the concept of sustainable village. Minimizing energy and matter losses from the ecosystem.
Prerequisites
Conditions for inclusion in the work:
Enrolment in the appropriate academic year.
Conditions for performing study obligations
Prerequisite for final exam is passing preliminary examination.