Natural resources and their use

geography

elective courses

Biogeography 1900-1-BG
Geomorphology 1900-1-GM
Hydrology and oceanography 1900-1-HYDO
Introduction to geology (basics of geology) 1900-1-PGEOL
Meteorology and climatology 1900-1-MK
Soils sciences and geography of soils 1900-1-GB

Before starting the course, it is advisable that the student has:

- in terms of knowledge: knowledge of issues in the field of physical geography of the world, with particular emphasis on Poland;

- in terms of skills: the ability to analyze statistical data and thematic maps, making simple thematic studies with the interpretation of the obtained results;

- other competences: the ability to draw conclusions and formulate statements based on various sources of information (thematic maps, statistical data, other data on the natural environment).

Classroom

During the seminar, students will learn about the resources of inanimate nature (soil structure, soil, climate, water) and animate nature (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms) as well as landscape resources found around the globe.

The subject covers the origin, occurrence and history of use of individual resources and the presentation of selected components of nature as values or barriers to economic development.

Methods of estimating natural resources and the possibility of using them in accordance with the principle of sustainable development are discussed.

The classes are aimed at presenting individual natural resources and issues related to their use. Students learn about the possibilities of using individual resources, the principles of their sustainable use and protection, as well as the problems of shrinkage and scarcity of individual resources. These issues concern the resources of inanimate nature (soil structure, topography, soil, climate, water) and animate nature (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms) and landscape resources. The general regularities of the distribution of basic mineral deposits and the conditions of their formation, the history of use and the issue of depletion of these deposits are discussed. The content of the course also includes a discussion of the significance of the relief in the context of the possibilities and limitations of management in selected areas. The Earth's water resources, their redistribution in circulation and their availability for economic activity are defined. An important element of the characteristics is the assessment of threats to the quantity and quality of freshwater resources, resulting from a strong anthropogenic impact. The basic principles of sustainable water management are defined, as well as the main goals and obligations of rational water management in connection with the need to treat water as a scarce resource in the context of the environment and human needs. Against this background, Poland's water resources are characterized. Attention was also paid to unfavorable phenomena related to the use of water resources, such as floods and droughts. Their causes and prevention strategies were discussed. The climatic resources, in particular the potential of renewable energy, its diversity in the world and in Poland, and the possibilities of using wind and solar radiation resources were also characterized. The main aspects of climate policy are presented. Climate is considered as a development factor / barrier. The basic principles of rational management of the atmospheric environment and protection of the atmosphere are discussed, as well as spatial scales and the possibilities of climate melioration. The soil resources of selected regions of the world (including Poland) are presented, as well as the causes and effects of soil degradation processes (including steppe and erosion) and methods of soil protection. Selected species and groups of plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms are characterized as well as their role in the environment and in human life (e.g. in medicine, environmental technology, agriculture and economy). Reasons and methods of animated nature protection are presented, taking into account the issues of biodiversity and sustainable development. Principles of rational management of populations of selected groups of organisms are discussed. The concept of ecosystem services and the principles of managing and protecting landscape resources in the context of the European Landscape Convention are approximated. The students are acquainted with the sources of information about particular nature resources.

DIMENSION OF THE CLASSES

The estimated number of hours that a student should spend on achieving the defined learning outcomes is 50, including:

30 organized hours (seminar),

20 hours of independent work (meeting the criteria for the evaluation of the subject).

TEACHING METHODS:

lecture, presentation, discussion, student statements (prepared at home).

- Baran S., Turski R., 1996, Degradacja, ochrona i rekultywacja gleb, Wyd. Akademii Rolniczej, Lublin.

- Bednarek R., Prusinkiewicz Z., 1999, Geografia gleb, Wyd. Nauk. PWN, Warszawa.

- Begon M., Mortimer M., Thomson D.J., 1999, Ekologia populacji. Studium porównawcze zwierząt i roślin, PWN, Warszawa.

- Buchwald K., Engelhardt W., 1975, Kształtowanie krajobrazu a ochrona przyrody, PWRL, Warszawa.

- Chełmicki W., 2001, Woda. Zasoby, degradacja, ochrona, Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa.

- Craig J.R., Vaughan D.J., Skinner B.J., 2003, Zasoby Ziemi, PWN, Warszawa.

- Kowalczak P., 2007, Konflikty o wodę, Wydawnictwo Kurpisz S.A., Przeźmierowo,

- Kowalik P., 2001, Ochrona środowiska glebowego, Wyd. Nauk. PWN, Warszawa.

- Krebs Ch. J., 2000, Ekologia. Eksperymentalna analiza rozmieszczenia i liczebności, PWN, Warszawa.

- Michałowska-Knap K., Wiśniewski G., 2008, Stan obecny i potencjał energetyki odnawialnej w Polsce, Prace PIGEO.

- Migoń P., 2012, Geoturystyka, Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa.

- Mikulski Z., 1998, Gospodarka wodna, Wyd. Naukowe PWN, Warszawa.

- Nowicki J., 1980, Promieniowanie słoneczne jako źródło energii, Arkady, Warszawa.

- Pullin A.S. 2004, Biologiczne podstawy ochrony przyrody, PWN, Warszawa.

- Rosin Z. i in., 2011, Koncepcja świadczeń ekosystemowych i jej znaczenie w ochronie przyrody krajobrazu rolniczego, Chrońmy Przyrodę Ojczystą, 67 (1), 3-20.

- Solon J., 2008, Koncepcja "Ecosystem Services" i jej zastosowania w badaniach ekologiczno-krajobrazowych, Problemy ekologii krajobrazu, 21, 25-44.

- Żaba J., Gaidzik K., 2010. Geoturystyka – nowa interdyscyplinarna dziedzina nauk o Ziemi, Biul. Nauk. Wrocł. WSIS, Turystyka i Rekreacja, 1, 6-13.

Requirements related to participation in the classes:

- presence

permissible number of absences subject to excuse - 2

If the student misses the class, the thesis should be prepared and sent to the person conducting the classes during the week.

- activity (preparation of speeches, active participation in classes)

Principles of crediting the classes:

- the grade from the subject is the grade from the test (pass 51% of the points). The test is carried out in the last class of the semester.

In case of passing the test, it is possible to obtain a grade of +0.5 degrees higher for outstanding activity in the classes (implementation of the topic, activity, participation in the discussion) reported by at least 3 lecturers

Failure of the test - the possibility of improvement in the retake session.