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ENVIRONMENT IMPACT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT |
45 CONTACT HOURS IN CLASS + 15 CONTACT HOURS
IN LAB (FIELD TRIP TO LA MARTA)
= 60 TOTAL CONTACT HOURS |
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DESCRIPTION |
This
course introduces the study of major environmental
problems and the Costa Rican experience
of reaching sustainability in the use of
its natural resources. Students will work
with case studies in conservation models
or projects where balance between development
and conservation is promoted. Problems encountered
in the application of the sustainability
concepts are also reviewed. Topics such
as urban growth, industrial and forestry
development and environmental impact are
included. |
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GENERAL OBJETIVES
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES |
•
To introduce the student to environmental
problems and the socioeconomic implications
facing Costa Rica.
• To provide the opportunity of studying
a series of real cases about conservation
and management of biodiversity and wildlife.
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CONTENTS |
UNIT
1. Introduction to the natural history of
Costa Rica
Origin
Geomorphology}
Climate
Life Zones
Biodiversity
Ecosystems (forests, volcanoes, rivers,
marine and estuarine zones)
UNIT 2. Development and environmental impact
in Costa Rica: analysis of cases
2.1 Urban growth and industrial development
2.2. Agriculture and agro-business
2.3 Ranching
2.4 Forestry development and timber industry
2.5 Tourism development
2.6 Coastal and marine development
UNIT 3. Environmental management: case studies
in Costa Rica
3.1 Conservation areas system
3.2 Innovative initiatives in conservation
and biodiversity uses: environmental services
(CO2 fixation), industry and biodiversity
prospection, bioliteracy, ecotourism, private
refuges, co-management
3.4 Environmentally-friendly agriculture
and ranching
3.5 Clean production
UNIT 4. Legislation
4.1 National environmental laws
4.2 Fisheries regulation
4.3 Development of conservation policy
4.4 Analysis of the national biodiversity
strategy
4.5 International trade
4.6 Exotic species introduction
4.7 Threatened and endangered species (FAO,
TRAFFIC and CITIES species red list)
UNIT 5. Ecological economics
5.1 Economic valuation of natural resources
5.2 Economic costs of environmental degradation
UNIT 6. Environmental impact studies
6.1 What is an environmental impact study?
6.2 Components of environmental impact studies
6.3 Elaboration of environmental impact
studies
6.4 Case studies of environmental impact
assessment |
| Evaluación |
Participation (both
in classroom and field trips) |
40% |
Readings and discussions |
10% |
Term Paper |
30% |
One Quiz |
5% |
| Final exam |
15% |
| Total |
100% |
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TERM PAPER |
The
term paper will be a report of the research
done by the student based on interviews,
field and bibliographic information on topics
related to environmental impact. Students
will choose one of the following topics:
• Sustainable uses of natural resources.
• Socioeconomic development vs loss
of biodiversity
• Management of national natural resources:
utopia or reality
• Students can propose other topics.
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