Ecology and Environmental Protection 1400-111EKOOS

The lectures cover the following main topics:
Why biotechnologists must learn ecology?
Evolutionary ecology
Behavioral ecology
Distribution and dispersal of organisms
Abundance, distribution, strategies and interactions of organisms
The common characteristics of communities
Natural terrestrial biomes of the world
Man and biosphere - civilisation and nature
Anthromes - the anthropogenic biomes
Extinctions of species - causes and risks
Ecological consequences of the global warming
GMO vs. biodiversity and ecosystems
Future applications of biotechnology in ecology and nature conservation

Type of course

obligatory courses

Mode

Classroom

Prerequisites (description)

The last decades brought unprecedenced acceleration in biotechnology. New biotech applications of organisms (production of energy, biofuel, drugs, vaccines) and genetic modifications of organisms became affordable, cheap and common. Many of such organisms are recently used in free nature and those restricted to closed laboratories are often under ilusoric control. Therefore, biotechnology increased its impact on nature. This impact can be positive (e.g. via reduction of emissions or removel of toxins from ecosystems) but can be detrimental for many species and ecosystems as well. Thus, the aim of the lecture is to build a basic knowledge of the future biotechnologists, on the functioning of the living world: from organism to ecosystem. The knowledge needed for asessment of the potential risks and advantages, which can be brought by biotech activities.

Course coordinators

Patryk Czortek

Learning outcomes

Knowledge:
Student possesses basic ecological knowledge, knows definitions, basic research methods, etc. (K_W02)
Possess a knowledge of the basic tools and technics used in ecological research (K_W04)
Skills:
Student is able to draw correct conclusions on effects of human activities on species and ecosystems (K_U06)
Knows how to prepare a critical review of the ecological problem with use of proper knowledge sources (K_U07)
Competences:
Knows biological processes and phenomena (K_K01)
Understands the need of dissemination of the knowledge in society and is able to pass the knowledge in clear manner in connection to the ecological knowledge (K_K06)

Assessment criteria

Written examination

Practical placement

None

Bibliography

Krebs C.J. 2011. Ekologia, PWN
Wejner J. 2008. Życie i ewolucja biosfery, PWN
Ellis, E. C., Goldewijk, K. K., Siebert, S., Lightman, D., Ramankutty, N. 2009. Anthropogenic transformation of the biomes, 1700 to 2000. Global Ecology and Biogeography,
Ellis, E. C., Ramankutty, N. 2008. Putting people in the map: anthropogenic biomes of the world. Frontiers in ecology and the environment, 6: 439-447.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 1400-111EKOOS in USOSweb