The course aims to equip students with an understanding of how ecosystems support economic and agricultural growth and human well-being. This will be achieved by applying economic theories to the sustainable management of natural resources. Specifically, students will learn about ecosystem services and their role in promoting biodiversity and enhancing resilient farming practices. The course will comprise an analysis of the cost of biodiversity which is often a challenge for various stakeholders in governing, regulating and evaluating investments in biodiversity conservation.
Students will gain knowledge of the significance of biodiversity and local ecosystems in promoting sustainable development of agriculture and the economy. Moreover, students will understand the importance of assessing the total value of natural resources for the present and future development of communities, regions and countries. This knowledge will assist in evaluating which policy programs, business plans or development projects are the most economical and sustainable. The participants shall be taught the theoretical and methodological approaches of economic aspects in biodiversity assessment and conducting research that links accounting methods with comprehensive and hedonic biodiversity assessment practices for sustainable development.
The curriculum is divided into five hours of theoretical lectures, followed by five hours of seminars. During meetings, students have the opportunity to interact with their lecturer and classmates. Students are also expected to engage in self-study by reading relevant literature. The lectures and seminars will be conducted on MS Teams platform. The sessions will be recorded and available to students on Microsoft Stream and Moodle. All the necessary materials including the study materials and presentation will also be accessible.
Lectures:
- Concept of ecological economics: From farming systems to policies and ecosystems
- Traditional knowledge of biodiversity: Sustainable practices and livelihood
- Ecosystem services and socioeconomic valuing of externalities
- Economic aspects of using on/off-farm biodiversity (sustainable harvesting)
- Promotion and assessment of biodiversity-linked value chains
Seminars:
- Research methods and theories
- Research methods and theories
- Discussing selected case studies
- Student project presentation
- Student project presentation
