XIS-31306 Management of Agroecosystems: Implications from Policies and Nature Conservation

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Mandatory knowledge:

The courses of the first year of MOA specialisation C

Assumed knowledge on:

The courses of the first year of MOA specialization C

Continuation courses:

MSc thesis

Contents:

This course is part of the Autumn semester 'Agroecology' at ISARA, Lyon, France.
Management of agroecosystems is the central question for sustainable agriculture. In this module, implications from polices and nature conservation will be presented and analysed. It will be started an overview about the main present agricultural policies in Europe which are directly connected with agriculture, and how they impact on the management of agroecosystems. A special focus will be on agro-environment measures. A second topic with lectures and discussions will be biodiversity and agrobiodiversity, and its management in agroecosystems. In a third step, different options for global agroecosystems/environmental management such as international conventions (e.g. Convention on Biological Diversity, Ramsar-Convention, Convention to Combat Desertification) and international and national attempts for nature and resource conservation will be presented. In addition, a course and an exercise on ecological corridors will be provided. Finally, students will have to use the acquired knowledge to develop a topic related to agroecosystems management, and present it in a poster session to the other students.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- analyse implications from policies, global change and nature conservation on agro-environmental measures;
- explain management of agrobiodiversity in agroecosystems through international conventions;
- apply acquired knowledge to develop a topic related to agroecosystems management.

Activities:

Lectures, tutorials, group work.

Examination:

- towards end of this module: Poster presentation + Poster (individual) 3/6 of final grade;
- end of this module: Oral exam (individual) 3/6 of final grade.

Literature:

Will be announced.