VÝUČBA OCHRANY PRÍRODY NA KATEDRE BIOLÓGIE A EKOLÓGIE FPV UMB V BANSKEJ BYSTRICI A JEJ ÚSKALIA
TEACHING NATURE CONSERVATION AT THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES MATEJ BEL UNIVERSITY IN BANSKÁ BYSTRICA AND IT SDRAWBACKS
Peter URBAN, Peter BITUŠÍK
Katedra biológie a ekológie, Fakulta prírodných vied UMB, Tajovského 40, 974 01 Banská Bystrica; email: Peter.Urban@umb.sk, urbanlutra@gmail.com; Peter.Bitusik@umb.sk
Abstract
The paper describes the forms of education in nature conservation (conservation biology) in two study branches realized at the Department of Biology and Ecology. The subjects connected with modern nature conservation play principal role in the education of students studying the program “Ecology and ecosystem protection” (Bachelor´s and Master´s degree) and „Evolution of Ecosystems and their Protection“(Doctoral degree).
The importance of close connection between theoretical study and practice in nature conservation is underlined. The Department co-operates with the authorities and organizations of Nature Conservations (e.g. State Nature Conservancy of the SlovakRepublic, the managements of national parks, zoological gardens …) not only in Slovakia but in the neighbouring countries (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Austria). Workers from these institutions take regularly participation in teaching both at the Faculty (lectures, exercises) and in the field excursions. Students can acquire needed knowledge and skills directly from professionals that could not have been obtained in a lecture room. Considerable part of theses is related to problem solutions in protected areas, ecosystem services, and ecology and management of endangered and protected species and communities, as well.
Keywords: conservation biology, field excursions, theses, nature protection institutions