SUBJECT

Actual Problems of Environmental Protection

lecture

master

Faculty of Science

Biology MSc

2

Semesters 1-4

Autumn/Spring semester

1. Global changes (climate, flora, fauna, human), diversity levels.

2. Protection of species and habitats in Hungary and in EU (in law and practice), monitoring and registration, topographic database and Geographical Information System.

3. Conservation biology, botanical gardens and zoos, reservation area and gene banks, practical conservation.

4. Environmental status assessment, bioindication, impact study, reconstruction of landscape and vegetation, recultivation, remediation, buffer forests, ecological corridors.

5. Invasive plants, weeds, zoonoses.

6. Genetically modified organisms, GMO materials in the food chain, genetic and gene ethic. Transgenic plants – herbicide resistance, elimination of xenobiotics.

7. Human strain of ecosystem: mine recultivation; chemical, physical and biological cleaning of wastewater; waste management; storage and elimination of hazardous wastes, technical radiation, space pollution.

8. Connection between micro- and macro environments, integrated plant protection, organic farming, biological protection. Biocontrol, biofermentation, biodegradation. Landscape management, ecotourism. Sustainable agriculture.

9. Protection of tropical rain forests. Protection of water pools. Over-the-borders protection of water catchment areas.

10. Near-natural sylviculture: nurseries and plantations for mycorrhiza. Utilisation of symbionts (artificial mycorrhization, nitrogenisation).

11. Natural cleaning of water: introduction of natural floating mats and the traditional Hungarian “foki” farming. Environmental friendly water management, prevention and handling of eutrophisation, artificial marshes, biofiltration, coast protection.

12. Safe use of nuclear energy nowadays and the international law. Utilisation of radioactive materials, deposition of nuclear waste, radioactivity exemption.

13. Utilising renewable energy sources in practice. Biomass plantations and power plants.

14. Air quality, air pollution, protection of ozone layer, acid sedimentation, protection of buildings.

15. Relationships of economical and ecological approaches and models, quality of life and ecosociology, civil associations and global campaigns, political integration of natural conservation. Nature-minded communication and media, Nature-minded (sustainable) basic-, middle and higher education.

• Periodical peer-reviewed jornals:

• Conservation Biology ISSN: 0888-8892, Blackwell Publishing;

• Biological Conservation ISSN: 0006-3207, Elsevier