Syllabus
Main stages of historical development of nature in Central Europe, important for identification of the current conservation priorities.
Current changes in the Central European landscape, identifying the context of negative phenomena.
Military areas as model systems useful for understanding of nature conservation.
Forests - changes in area, structure and quality. Management of forest habitats.
Wetlands - the main factors influencing their catastrophic decline and deterioration.
Management of wet meadows, revitalization of small water courses and reservoirs.
Steppe and forest steppe habitats - the causes of their loss and diversity decline. Management and restoration of steppe habitats.
Tools used in practical conservation - mowing meadows, creating light and structurally rich forests, grazing, burning, disturbance management.
Spontaneous succession vs. revitalization. Ecological restoration.
Monitoring and inventory.
Funding in nature conservation. Grants and how to treat them.
Annotation
This course is geared to provide you with the practical skills and knowledge required to management practices used for nature conservation. The course will be held directly in the field and particular management tools will be demonstrated (grazing, mowing, removal of shrubs, disturbance management, revitalization of watercourses and small pools etc.) in various habitats typical for the Central European landscape. Target regions are Sedlčany and
Příbram region in Central bohemia. The course will be held during four days in September.