Ecosystem Processes, Biodiversity and Climate Change (U00372)

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

One of the great challenges in biogeography and ecological science today is to understand ecosystem-environment interactions and the consequent responses by ecosystems to environmental change. The outcomes of studies addressing this subject provide urgently-needed information relevant to our management of local and global resources. The course will begin with a review of processes in vegetation and soils, and will also cover methods in measurement and modelling. This functional approach will provide a platform from which we consider the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem processes in the context of climate change.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not accepting further student enrolments.

? 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 : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

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

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
19/09/2006	14:00	15:50	Room 2.19, Old Infirmary (Geography)	Central

All of the following classes

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

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Assess linkages among ecosystem function, sensitivity in function to climate change and potential threats to biodiversity.

Review the relationships among vegetation, carbon and global climate in the context of carbon sequestration.

Consider some interactions among development, ecosystem processes and climate change using a case study approach.