Postgraduate Course: Ecosystem Services 1: Ecoystem Dynamics and Functions (PGGE11170)
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 1, 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.
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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 Expression 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 sensitivity
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 |
| 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
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| 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.
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| 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 |
|
copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh -
1 September 2011 6:35 am
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