ZA312 Landscape evaluation

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
2/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
RNDr. Martin Culek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
RNDr. Martin Culek, Ph.D.
Department of Geography – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: RNDr. Martin Culek, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Geography – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Tue 14:00–15:50 Z6,02006
  • Timetable of Seminar Groups:
ZA312/01: Tue 16:00–16:50 Z6,02006, M. Culek
Prerequisites
Interest in this topic :-)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course has two targets, which are interconected.
• The first one deals with identification of Landscape character, its typical elements both of natural and cultural origin.
• The other one deals with threats to the Landscape character due to Globalization and certain aspects of Global climate change.
• This course aims to give students insight into the landscape character and its protection in quickly developing World. Legislative protection of Landscape character and international conventions are mentioned as well.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course students should be able to:
• Identify types of Landscape and their unique features;
• Explain an influence of natural constituent parts to the Landscape character (bedrocks, topography, climate, vegetation, fauna).
• Apply one of the Czech present-day methods for evaluation of Landscape character (shape) - Vorel et al., Lőw et al.; or some adequate method used in the World.
• Elaborate a map of Landscape character unites, evaluate their values and propose adequate management and prevention of threats as well.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction. Why and how we need to study Landscape. Legislation for the protection of the Landscape (European Landscape Convention, Czech Act No. 114/92 Sb.).
  • 2-5. Natural elements present in the Landscape and its overall character (shape). Threats to these elements and how to avoid them.
  • 6-7. Antropogenous modification of the natural Landscape, its history. Present day problems.
  • 8. Types of villages and organization of their agricultural landscape. Threats to their valuable features.
  • 9. European Landscape megatypes according to European Environment Agency and Dobříš Assessement (1995).
  • 10. Mapping the Landscape character unites and regions.
  • 11. Necessary adaptations of present Landscape to Global Changes: How to avoid damages to the Landscape by certain Green Deal plans. Change in forest tree composition. Protection of biota with help of Ecological Networks. Alien species and their impact to the Landscape character.
  • 12. Seminar: Methods of evaluation of landscape features (Lőw et al.) + Method of assessment of proposed constructions impact on the Landscape shape (Vorel et al). Depending on the nationality of students, adequate foreign methods may be used.
  • 13. Part of the seminars will be dedicated to a terrain excursion in Landscape in city Brno surroudings (cca 7 hours, travel time included).
  • 14. Homework: Mapping segments of Landscape, distinguishing Landscape character unites, their evaluation. Identification of threats, proposition of improvement.
Literature
    required literature
  • The European Landscape Convention, 2000. Florencie: European Council.
    not specified
  • CULEK, Martin. Biogeographical division of the Czech Republic. In Ekologie krajiny. Journal of Landscape Ecology. Brno: CZ-IALE, 2007. s. 25-31, 161 s. ISBN 978-80-86386-97-3.
  • EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENT AGENCY (Stanners D. et Bourdeau P., eds.), 1995: Europe‘s Environment: The Dobříš Assessement. Luxemburg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities. ISBN 92-826-5409-5.
  • Vorel, Ivan & Bukacek, Roman & Matějka, Petr & Culek, Martin & Sklenicka, Petr. (2006). A method for assessing the visual impact on landscape character of proposed construction, activities or changes in land use.
Teaching methods
Lectures are held with help of powerpoint presentations.
Part of the lectures, probably in the middle of the course, will be held as blended learning.
Student is obliged to study 2 topics, presented in form of given text.
Seminars consist of terrain excursion and discussions about homework: Mapping and evaluation of Landscape unites:
Homework: Student will elaborate a map of Landscape character unites with use of terrain research (min. 2km2) and an explanation text.
Assessment methods
Oral exam (ca 30 min.) with possibility of written preparation.
Evaluation of the seminar project (homework) gives cca 30 % of the final mark, but the exam is necessary to be fulfilled at least on level "E" anyway for the semester to be successfully completed.
Náhradní absolvování
Study of given topics in books, consultations by email, mapping of Landscape in place of stay.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
Teacher's information
There certainly is no duty to be present during class lectures, but because there will be personal experience presented during the lectures, the class attandance is higly recomended.
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