Courses list

Wersja polska

Course code: RSSS20345o14
Semester: 2014/2015 winter
Name: Insects and fungi, and their role and risks to ecosystems
Major: Environmental Protection
Study Type: second cycle
Course type: compulsory
Study Semester: 2
ECTS points: 5
Hours (Lectures / Tutorials / Other): 30 / 30 / 0
Lecturer: Prof. dr. hab. Elżbieta Pląskowska; Dr. hab. Zdzisław Klukowski, Prof. UP;
Language of instruction: Polish


Learning outcomes: Knowledge: Knows and describes the insects and fungi for different ecosystems. He knows the role of insects and fungi in selected natural and anthropogenic ecosystems; describes trophic (plant-insect-fungus) dependencies, student knows how to evaluate the biodiversity of ecosystems. Familiar with basic methods of isolation of fungi from various substrates and the rules for the identification of fungi and insects Know the indicatory species of natural habitats. Describes the importance of natural habitats, as reservoir species maintaining biological equilibrium of the environment. Skills: Can identify the species of fungi and insects characteristic for specific plant communities. Evaluates the state of biological equilibrium different natural habitats and can indicate its external threats. Performs a simplified biodiversity assessment of natural and anthropogenic ecosystems, can carry out monitoring of pests and pathogens in a various habitats. Based on knowledge about bioindicative value of species, makes the preliminary evaluation of anthropopression on natural communities. Presents the performed project and describes in the discussion characteristics of the specific composition and the necessity of the maintenance the good condition of natural communities.

Competences: Social competence: Shows the sensibility to the problems of the irrational natural resources economy, and is conscious to the role of fungi and insects in natural ecosystems and human economies. Use rational arguments in favour of maintaining the policy of natural communities, sees a need for action to protect them. Correctly identifies a protected and threatened species and observes the principles of their legislation. Is aware of the importance of the social consequences of the anthropopression impact on natural communities. Able to work individually and as a team, taking in the various roles.

Prerequisites: Botany, plant physiology, entomology, phytopathology, natural resources and their exploitation, civilization threats and sustainable development

Course content: Systematic review of insects and fungi and their role in different ecosystems. The importance of insects and fungi in nature and the human economy. Insects and fungi appearing in natural and anthropogenic habitats. Protected and endangered species. Evaluation the plant health status. Methods for fungi isolation and insect and fungi identification . Toxic, edible and medicinal fungi.

Recommended literature: Agrios G.N., 2005. Plant pathology. Elsevier Academic Press. Batko A., 1975. Zarys hydromikologii. PWN, Warszawa. Boczek J., 2001. Nauka o szkodnikach roślin. PWRiL Warszawa. Carrol G.C., Wicklow D.T., 1992.The fungal community, its organization and role in the ecosystem. M. Dekker, New York. Gumińska B., Wojewoda W., 1985: Grzyby i ich oznaczanie. Wyd. PWRiL, Warszawa. Jervis Mark A. 2005. Insect as natural enemies. An Practical Perspective. Springer Kiraly Z., Klement Z., Solymosy F., Voros J., 1977. Fitopatologia – wybór metod badawczych. PWRiL, Warszawa. Krebs C.J., 1997. Ekologia. PWN Warszawa. Lisiewska M, Ławrynowicz M., 2000. Monitoring grzybów. Bogucki Wyd. Naukowe, Poznań. Mańka K., 1992: Fitopatologia leśna, Wyd. PWRiL, Warszawa. Műller E., Loeffler W. 1997. Zarys mikologii. Wyd. PWRiL. Praca zbiorowa,1994, 1996, 1999, 2001. Diagnostyka szkodników roślin i ich wrogów naturalnych. Wyd. SGGW (cz. I-IV). Simon J. Yu.2008. The toxicology and biochemistry of Insecticides, , CRC Press. Schowalter T.D. 2006. Insect Ecology, An ecosystem approach. Elsevier Wilkaniec B.red. 2009, Entomologia cz. 1 (Entomologia ogólna) red. B. PWRiL Poznań 2009

Assessment methods: Knowledge : Presentations concerning characteristic for different ecosystems of insects and fungi, the written exam from lectures. Skills: Evaluation of individual tasks in the course of the exercise, the evaluation of performed projects, the evaluation of the oral presentation of the project. Social competence: The assessment of the effects of working in a team environment, the assessment of the correctness of the arguments selection in reference to the role of insects and fungi in ecosystems.

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