Postgraduate Course: Ecosystem Services 2: Ecosystem Values and Management (PGGE11169)
Course Outline
School |
School of Geosciences |
College |
College of Science and Engineering |
Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Not available to visiting students |
Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits |
20 |
Home subject area |
Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences) |
Other subject area |
Environmental Courses |
Course website |
None
|
Taught in Gaelic? |
No |
Course description |
Human domination of the biosphere is increasingly reducing the
functional productivity of major ecosystems worldwide, and thus
diminishing the capacity of ecosystems to provide vital services to
human well-being (e.g. food, shelter, clean water, coastal
protection, carbon storage). This Ecosystem Functions course
will provide students with core concepts in ecosystem dynamics
and function across different temporal and spatial scales and
biomes. It is to be complemented with a subsequent course on
Ecosystem Values. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites |
|
Prohibited Combinations |
|
Other requirements |
None
|
Additional Costs |
None |
Course Delivery Information
|
Delivery period: 2011/12 Semester 2, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
No Classes have been defined for this Course |
First Class |
First class information not currently available |
No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
1. An understanding of fundamental ecological principles,
processes and non-linear dynamics, and an appreciation of
modelling approaches to predict changes in ecosystem state and
function as a result of internal processes and external drivers.
2. Appreciation for the diversity of ecosystem functions and
expressions across different time, space and biome scales,
illustrated through targeted case studies.
3. Appreciation for the types, scales, rates and sources of
environmental degradation and pathways for recovery.
4. Capacity to envisage and conceptually model plausible
scenarios of environmental management to sustain ecosystem
function for long-term societal benefits. |
Assessment Information
Assessment modes: 'Short response' essays to assigned papers; Modelling practical; Team
presentations; Final exam. |
Special Arrangements
None |
Additional Information
Academic description |
Not entered |
Syllabus |
W1 Overview of Ecosystem Dynamics and Concepts
W2 Ecosystem Expressions across Zones and Scales
W3 Role of Biogeochemical Cycles (carbon and nitrogen)
W4 Biodiversity Traits and Community Structure
W5 Trophic levels, Food Webs and Energy Transfer
W6 Forced and unforced variability and sensistivity
W7 Tipping points and Non-linearity of Ecosystems
W8 Ecosystem Stability, Resilience and Steady-States
W9 The role Socio-Ecological Systems Analysis
W10 Course Conference: Group presentations |
Transferable skills |
Not entered |
Reading list |
Dawson, T.P., Rounsevell, M.D.A., Kluvánková-Oravská, T., Chobotová, V. and Stirling, A.
(2010). Dynamics of complex adaptive ecosystems for service provision. Biodiversity and
Conservation, 19(10), 2843$ú2853
&· Steffen, McNeil (2007) The Anthrocene: Are Humans now overwhelming the great forces of
nature? Ambio (36:614-621)
&· Biggs, R., Carpenter, S.R., Brock, W.A. (2009) Turning back from the brink: Detecting an
impending regime shift in time to avert it. (PNAS vol 106, no.3, 826-831.
&· Gruber N, Galloway JN (2008) An Earth-system perspective of the global nitrogen cycle. Nature
451: 293-296
&· Bradbury, Seymour (2009) Coral Reef science and the new commons. Coral Reefs (2009) 28:
831-837
&· Mumby, P. J. et al (2007) Thresholds and the resilience of Caribbean coral reefs. Nature Vol 450
1 Nov 2007.
&· Hooper, D.U. et. al. (2005) Effect of Biodiversity on Ecosystem Functioning: A Consensus of
Current Knowledge. Ecological Monographs, 75 (1), 2005, pp 3 - 35.
&· Covich AP et al. (2004) The Role of Biodiversity in the Functioning of Freshwater and Marine
Benthic Ecosystems. Bioscience; Aug 2004; 54 No. 8.
&· Jackson, JVC (2008) Ecological Extinction and Evolution in the Brave New Ocean. PNAS 11458
- 11465 August 12 Vol 15 suppl 1.
&· Bulleri, F and Chapman MG (2010) The introduction of coastal infrastructure as a driver of
change in marine environments. Journal of Applied Ecology 2010, 47, 26-35. |
Study Abroad |
Not entered |
Study Pattern |
Timeframe (4 hours class contact time / week)
Overall delivery mode: a) 1 hour lecture on concepts; b) group discussion on pre-assigned
papers, c) interactive lecture or practical around case study. |
Keywords |
Ecosystem functions ecosystem dynamics biogeochemical cycles productivity biodiversity climate chang |
Contacts
Course organiser |
Dr Meriwether Wilson
Tel: (0131 6)50 4311
Email: meriwether.wilson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary |
Mrs Christine Wilson
Tel: (0131 6)50 4866
Email: Christine.Wilson@ed.ac.uk |
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copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh -
1 September 2011 6:35 am
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