Quaternary-Scale Vegetation Dynamics (U01557)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : GEO-3-QUATVEGDY

This course will provide an understanding of how both temperate and tropical vegetation has responded to the large-scale changes in climate and greenhouse gas concentrations associated with glacial-interglacial cycles of the Quaternary period. A key aim is to demonstrate how this long-term perspective of vegetation change can provide important insights into both ecological and evolutionary theory. The different techniques used to reconstruct past vegetation will be considered in detail (i.e. pollen analysis, plant macrofossils, stable carbon isotopes), with especial emphasis given to pollen analysis. Palaeovegetation reconstructions based on these proxy data, in combination with independent palaeoclimate evidence (e.g. ice core data, oceanic evidence, fossil insect remains), will be examined to address the following ecological and biogeographical issues: a) population migration/expansion, b) plant community dynamics and succession, c) evolution and speciation, d) biodiversity, and e) carbon cycling. The influence of past human activity will also be considered, as well as the implications of this Quaternary-scale perspective for better understanding the likely consequences of predicted environmental change over the coming century. Case studies will be drawn from both temperate and tropical ecosystems, with especial emphasis given to eastern North America, NW Europe, and Amazonia. The course will be taught through a combination of microscopy-based lab practicals (pollen analysis), lectures, and tutorials. Previous knowledge of plant ecology/biogeography and Quaternary Science would be advantageous.

Entry Requirements

? Special Arrangements for Entry : Requests for registration must be made by email to Shiela.Wilson@ed.ac.uk
Availability to Visiting Undergraduates may be dependent on demand from internal students.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Geography, (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	14:00	15:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

To demonstrate the impact of Quaternary-scale changes in climate and greenhouse gases upon temperate and tropical vegetation.

To show how an appreciation of Quaternary-scale vegetation dynamics can provide important contributions to ecological, biogeographical, and evolutionary theory.

To provide students with an understanding of the principles and applications of key palaeoecological and palaeoclimatic techniques.

To provide technical expertise in fossil pollen analysis and microscopy.

To develop a critical approach to elucidating the significance of different kinds of palaeoenvironmental proxy data.