Protection and Restoration of Rural Environment

1. Introductory course: Rural Environment, Uses, Function and Biodiversity, Environmental problems as a result of the intensification of agricultural production

2. Water quality regulations: Drinking water, water for plant production, Physical Characteristics of Water, Soil: Chemical and physical properties, Composition

3. Analysis of basic cropping systems/practices and their effects on agroecosystems

4. Pollution of the rural environment (agricultural drugs, fertilizers, heavy metals, agricultural waste, etc.)

5. Fate of pollutants in the environment (soil, atmosphere, water), Pollution risk assessment methodologies, Ecotoxicological behavior of pollutants

6. Nitrogen pollution, causes, effects, legislation, Policies

7. Restoration of ecosystems: Phytoremediation of polluted soils and waters.

8. Restoration of ecosystems: Physicochemical methods of restoration of soil and water resources

9. Rehabilitation of desertified areas: Physical characteristics, Basic principles of management, Rehabilitation methods

10. Protection and restoration of areas from overgrazing

11. Implementation of agricultural policies that will meet the objectives of management/protection of the rural environment

12. Organic (Biological) farming, Organic pesticides /Biopesticides

13. Integrated sustainable rural environment management. Possibilities of rural restructuring. Agri-environmental policies

Laboratory exercises: Sampling and analysis techniques of environmental samples

• Determination of nitrogen ions using ion chromatography/spectrophotometry

• Effects of agrochemicals on microorganisms

• Biological pesticides

• Phytoremediation of contaminated soils/waters

• Case-studies analysis - restoration of rural environment - Restoration methods

• Repeat Laboratory I

•Repeat Laboratory II