Define, describe and aplly basic ecological principles as they apply to agroecosystems;
Identify ande descrive the structures (biotic and abiotic) and ecological functions (energy flow, nutriente cycling) of select agroecosystems;
Discusse the impacts and interrelationships beteween agricultural systems and associated ecosystems;
Describe basic principles of genetic resources management in agroecosystems and associated ecosystems;
Identify holistic relationship between the major ecological, social, and economic factos affecting agroecosystem sustainably;
Discusse and apply agroecological principles to selected agroecosystems to assess their sustainability and make suggestions for enhanced suatainability;
Demonstrate critical-thinking and problema-solving skilss, including na ability to acesse, retrieve evaluate and utilize relevant information from a wide range of sources of scientific literature, and also from practical observations froma farmers and agroecologists.
Module 1: Agriculture and abiotic components
Introduction
Agroecology overview
Crop production
Climate and agriculture
Managing nutrients
Water and agriculture
Managing water
Module 2: Agriculture and biotic components
Biodiversity and agriculture
Agroecosystem diversity and stability
Pests, weeds and diseases
Managing species interactions
Animal agriculture
Module 3: Systems from the Farm to the Landscape and Beyond
Indicators of sustainability
The farm as an agroecosystem
Landscape agroecology
Farms and energy
Agroecosystem to food system
Global issue
Agroecology review
The curricular unit has 6 ECTS, corresponding to a total of 46 working hours, from which 12 are practical sessions and 34 theoretical – practical.
Principles of Ecology in Plant Production. T.R. Sinclair & F.P. Gardner. CAB International. 1998.
The Ecology of Agroecosystems. Vandermeer, J.H.. Jones and Bartlett Publishers. 2011.
Agroecology. Martin, K., Sauerborn, J.. Springer. 2013.
Agriculture Sustainability. Strategies for Assessment. Van Loon, G., Patil, S.G., Hugar, L.B.. SAGE Publications. 2005.
Agroecology. Ecological Processes in Sustainable Agriculture. Gliessman, S.. Ann Harbour Press. 1998.
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