AGRICULTURAL ECOLOGY

Course Description

Aims of the course are to examine the interactions between the plants and ecological variations and their various aspects. The increase in world population and increasing pollution are covered in detail. History of agricultural applications, cultivar development, and the effects of agriculture on biological diversity, in situ and ex-situ, maintenance and gene centres in the regions (Mediterranean, Euro-Siberian and Irano Turanian) are covered. Sociological relations between plant and plant communities are evaluated. The intimate relations between agricultural activities and the environment are the second part of the lecture. The importance of environmental factors on side selection and as well as species and cultivar selections are taken into consideration before reaching the final decisions of what to grow.

AGRICULTURAL ECOLOGY

Evaluation Tools (Active Term)

No evaluation items have been defined.

Course outcomes

1. 01 To learn and understand what is agricultural ecology and what is the relationship between ecosystems and agroeco systems.
2. 02 To learn and understand biomes in ecosystems (Terrestrial biomes, Aquatic biomes)and ecological relationships of biomes.
3. 03 To understand water cycle at ecosystem and interaction between abiotic and biotic component in regard to water cycle
4. 04 To realize effect of Sunlight Intensity at formation of climate and ecosystems.
5. 05 To learn what are the main factors which effects the formation of regional climate patterns and microclimates.
6. 06 To understand the effects of biogeochemical cycling in the regard of energy transformations and flows at ecological systems.
7. 07 To learn how does energy transfer takes place through the food chain and first and last steps of energy pyramids.
8. 08 To learn what is the definition and content of Biogeochemistry (Element ratios, Mass Balance, Element Cycling)
9. 09 To understand what is Agroecosystems at peresent time and to realize importance of biodiversity and genetic Diversity at his systems.
10. 10 To learn Agroecological Farming Facilities as an alternative for industrial agricultural production to save native genetic biodiversity sources.

Course Syllabus

Reference Books & Course Materials

1. 01 1. Agroecology: The Ecology of Sustainable Food Systems, second edition by Stephen R. Gliessman. 2011.
2. 02 2. Agroecology: The Ecology of Sustainable Food Systems, Third Edition by Stephen R. Gliessman. Textbook - 405 Pages - 219 B/W Illustrations ISBN 9781439895610 - CAT# K14240
3. 03 3. Crop Ecology: Productivity and Management in Agricultural Systems Paperback, 2011. by David J. Connor, Robert S. Loomis, Kenneth G. Cassman.
4. 04 4. Agriculture as a Mimic of Natural Ecosystems. Editors: Lefroy, E.C., Hobbs, R.J., O'Connor, M.H., Pate, J.S. (Eds.) Editors: Lefroy, E.C., Hobbs, R.J., O'Connor, M.H., Pate, J.S. (Eds.) ISBN 978-0-7923-5965-4

Learning Outcomes

1. L01 To learn and understand what is agricultural ecology and what is the relationship between ecosystems and agroeco systems.
2. L02 To learn and understand biomes in ecosystems (Terrestrial biomes, Aquatic biomes)and ecological relationships of biomes.
3. L03 To understand water cycle at ecosystem and interaction between abiotic and biotic component in regard to water cycle
4. L04 To realize effect of Sunlight Intensity at formation of climate and ecosystems.
5. L05 To learn what are the main factors which effects the formation of regional climate patterns and microclimates.
6. L06 To understand the effects of biogeochemical cycling in the regard of energy transformations and flows at ecological systems.
7. L07 To learn how does energy transfer takes place through the food chain and first and last steps of energy pyramids.
8. L08 To learn what is the definition and content of Biogeochemistry (Element ratios, Mass Balance, Element Cycling)
9. L09 To understand what is Agroecosystems at peresent time and to realize importance of biodiversity and genetic Diversity at his systems.
10. L10 To learn Agroecological Farming Facilities as an alternative for industrial agricultural production to save native genetic biodiversity sources.
11. L11 To learn and recognize what is agricultural ecology and what is the relationship between ecosystems and agroeco systems. SOLO 2
12. L12 To classify biomes in ecosystems (Terrestrial biomes, Aquatic biomes)and ecological relationships of biomes. SOLO 3
13. L13 To argue effect of Sunlight Intensity at formation of climate and ecosystems. SOLO 4
14. L14 To list what are the main factors which effects the formation of regional climate patterns and microclimates. SOLO 3
15. L15 To explain water cycle at ecosystem and interaction between abiotic and biotic component in regard to water cycle SOLO 3
16. L16 To describe the effects of biogeochemical cycling in the regard of energy transformations and flows at ecological systems. SOLO 3
17. L17 To define how does energy transfer takes place through the food chain and first and last steps of energy pyramids. SOLO 3
18. L18 To statewhat is the definition and content of Biogeochemistry (Element ratios, Mass Balance, Element Cycling) SOLO 2
19. L19 To categorize what is Agroecosystems at peresent time and to realize importance of biodiversity and genetic Diversity at his systems. SOLO 4
20. L20 To clarify Agroecological Farming Facilities as an alternative for industrial agricultural production to save native genetic biodiversity sources. SOLO 3

Program Outcomes

1. P01 Becoming aware of sufficient theoretical knowledge in basic engineering and agricultural science
2. P02 Having sufficient theoretical knowledge in basic agricultural production especially in pomology, viticulture, olericulture, floriculture and agronomy, and their breeding
3. P03 Being well equiped with practical experiences in agriculture
4. P04 Finding the source of environmental, biotic, abiotic, technical and economical problems in agricultural crops which reduce yield and quality, and create solutions to related problems
5. P05 Defining, classifying and naming cultivated crop plants and knowing how to manage them
6. P06 Breeding of horticultural and field crops, developing new cultivars and producing propagation materials of new developed varieties
7. P07 Applying up-to-date methods and techniques for preserving genetic resources and environment for sustainable use in agricultural commodities
8. P08 Evaluating, asseying and analyzing the changes in cultivation of horticultural and agronomic crops in respect to irrigation, fertilization, defining pests and diseases and after postharvest handling
9. P09 Establishing and managing orchards, vineyards and field crop productions and greenhouse operations
10. P10 Obtaining data in horticulture and field crops along with researching, considering, recording, consulting and expert abilities, project writing and applying
11. P11 Identifying different roles in enchancing individual abilities and skills beside taking responsibilities, participations in team works under any given conditions
12. P12 Easily accessing to appropriate information and thinking analytically in their interested area and subjects. They can do accurate timing and planning in agricultural productions in year round. They think analytically, prepare questionaries, have an exploratory and creative vision and use the obtained knowledge for the benefit of farmers and societies
13. P13 Having ability to transfer information and also able to easily communicate with the people in the field at different levels. They have self - confidence and self- improvement skills as well

Po-Lo Matrix