Prerequisite:

Finished bachelor’s degree in Biology or equivalent program of study.

Content (Syllabus outline):

• Conservation biology (discipline and its principles)
• Levels of biodiversity and causes of decline
• Legal frame of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity (international and national legislation about nature conservation)
• Ways of nature protection (In situ: protected areas, natural values, Natura 200 areas, ecologically important areas); Ex situ: botanical gardens, ZOO, collections, gene banks, asylum)
• Classification of endangered taxa (IUCN criteria and red lists)
• Monitoring of biodiversity (monitoring of species, habitat types, ecosystems)
• Restoration ecology: on species level (introduction, reintroduction, translocation, supplement) and ecosystem level (revitalisation)
• Case studies

Readings:

• Pullin A.S. 2002. Conservation Biology. Cambridge University Press.
• van Andel J., Aronson J. (eds) 2012. Restoration Ecology: The New Frontier, Second edition, Wiley-Blackwell.

Objectives and competences:

The purpose of the course is to familiarize students with the basics of nature conservation. The course will define and explain basics of nature conservation, ex situ and in situ conservation of species (reintroduction), basics of restoration ecology of various ecosystems and their monitoring. Course contents will interpret by case studies (successfully and unsuccessfully).

Intended learning outcomes:

• Knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts in nature conservation as a discipline and its principles.
• Knowledge of basic tools in nature conservation and their application in concrete cases.

Assessment:

Class paper (20 %), exam (80 %).