Course detail

Landscape Restoration and Stability

FAST-TS51Acad. year: 2022/2023

Basic knowledge of landscape ecology, natural and cultural landscape, ecological stability.
Development of the Czech landscape. Landscape types, impact of human activities on landscape.
Czech landscape. Nature and landscape conservation.
Harmonic cultural landscape. Composed landscape.
Landscape ecological stability. Territorial systems of ecological stability.
Main reasons of landscape devastation by human activities.
Landscape devastation caused by mining activities.
Classification and types of landscape reclamation. New trends in landscape reclamation.
Landscape character.
Low impact development. Urban sprawl.
Architecture and landscape.
Water in landscape. River restoration, subsidies programs.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Department

Institute of Landscape Water Management (VHK)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Overview of the problems connected with the landscape, landscape values, landscape improvement programs and subsidies. The actual state of water courses in landscape amd their restoration possibilities.

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of geography and biology.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Not applicable.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Not applicable.

Course curriculum

  1. Introduction to landscape ecology. Landscape ecology as a scientific discipline. Natural and cultural landscapes. Landscape forming processes.
  2. Ecosystem, biodiversity. Landscape stability and methods of its assessment.
  3. Restoration of degraded landscapes. Territorial systems of ecological stability.
  4. Landscape character, types of landscapes.
  5. Devastated landscapes. Methods and phases of reclamation after extraction of raw materials, landfills.
  6. Water in the landscape. Problems in the catchment area, problems of inappropriate river network modifications. Wetlands, pools and other water features in the landscape.
  7. Revitalisation of water systems in the landscape. Basic rules, technical solutions for revitalisation and migration permeability of streams.
  8. Sustainable forest management. Maintenance of non-forest areas.
  9. Fundamentals of pedology and soil care, soil ecosystems.
  10. Problems in agricultural landscapes, water and wind erosion.
  11. Dry ponds and small water reservoirs in the landscape.
  12. Nature and landscape protection in the Czech Republic, legislation. Subsidy programmes.
  13. Excursion or lecture by a practitioner.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

Basic knowledge of landscape ecology, natural and cultural landscape, impact of human activities, landscape restoration, landscape stability, territorial systems of ecological satbility.
Restoration of landscape aquatic systems.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Extent and forms are specified by guarantor’s regulation updated for every academic year.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

H. Králová: Revitalizace a stabilita krajiny. VUT FAST (studijní opora), 2008. (CS)
DEMEK, J.: Úvod do krajinné ekologie. 1999.

Recommended reading

Forman, R.T.T., Gordon, M.: Landscape Ecology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1986. (EN)
Forman, T.T., Gordon, M.: Krajinná ekologie. Academia Praha, 1993. (CS)
I. Míchal: Ekologická stabilita. Veronica Brno, 1994. (CS)
J. Löw, I. Míchal: Krajinný ráz. Lesnická práce, Kostelec n. Černými lesy, 2003. (CS)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme N-P-C-A Master's

    branch ARS , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Introduction to landscape ecology. Nomenclature. Natural and cultural landscape. Literature. 2. Historical development of Czech landscape. Cultural landscape. 3. Characteristics of Czech landscape and its values. Cultural landscape protection. 4. Harmonic cultural landscpae. Composed landscape. 5. Ecological stability. Landscape ecological stability. Landscape devastation by industry and mining activities. Landscape reclamation. 6. Characteristics of areas devastated by mining. Ways of reclamation. Biotechnical reclamation. Agricultural, forestry, hydric reclamation. Reclamation financing. New trends in reclamation, examples of successful reclamation. 7. Protection of landscape and landscape character. Urban sprawl and its impact on landscape and environment. 8. Architecture in harmony with landscape. Principles of good development practice in landscape. 9. Actual problems of recent landscape and their solution. Landscape programms. Convention on European landscape. 10. Importance of water elements in landscape. River systems restoration. Examples of successful river restorations in CZ and abroad. Subsidy programs for river restorations.

Exercise

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Introduction. Rules. Publications and on-line sources of information. On-line maps. 2. Landscape mapping methodology. Examples. Coefficient of ecological stability. Selection of the territory for mapping. 3. - 8. Landscape mapping and evaluation project. 9. - 10. Presentations of individual projects.