300474 VO+SE+EX Management of protected sites (2008S)

Within the lecture block, students are informed about general aspects of National Parks and other large-sclae protected areas, esp. in Austria: conservation objectives, management plans, administration, research and education activities, conflicts of interests with residents and/or neighboors, natural and biological pecularities, etc. Within the excursion block, probably in September, four National Parks in Austria (Thaya Valley, River Meadows of the Danube, Lake Neusiedlersee, and Gesäuse in Styria) are visited. Together with local National Park responsibles and managers, the visitor centers are frequented and excursions to sensible areas of the single National Parks were organized. The primary aim of this part is to confront the students directly with the problems of practical implementation of the theoretical concepts of nature conservation within the single National Parks. The criteria for a positive participation is active cooperation during the lecture and the excursion blocs as well as a written protocol to a special issue. For technical reasons, the number of participants must be restricted to 30.