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50264-01 - Lecture with practical courses: Global Change Ecology (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2020 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers | Philipp Hirsch (philipp.hirsch@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | We will treat the ecological relationships of global change following a hierarchical flow: going from basic food web effects to multiple trophic relationships, eventually including humans as recipients and agents of global change. Furthermore, we will frequently use aquatic ecosystems as case studies because they are disproportionally affected by global change and their ecosystem services are especially threatened and especially important to humans. Finally, we will consider global change beyond climate change and will treat land-use change, global transport and trade, change of human consumption patterns and pollution, global energy system change, species extinctions and invasions, and more. Specific topics include (but are not limited to!): 1) eco-evolutionary effects of land-use change and eutrophication, including a discussion of mitigation measures and socio-cultural effects; 2) ecological effects of earlier spring across multiple species in terrestrial food webs; 3) ecological effects and ecosystem service changes due to global species extinctions; 4) ecological and socio-economic effects of the global renewable energy development, including a discussion of future solutions; 5) human consumption patterns and ecological effects of microplastics pollution, including a discussion of the feasibility of existing solutions; 6) ecological and socio-economic effects and transdisciplinary management approaches of biological invasions, including a discussion of currently available management options. The lecture - will be research-based. It will include specific case studies from the primary literature and will connect to current ongoing research; - will also include application sections focusing on the discussion of existing solutions for mitigating the negative ecological effects of global change: - will include specific local connections to the situation in Switzerland. Practical course: As a practical part each student will create a learning portfolio in parallel to the lecture. In this portfolio key questions raised in the lectures will be answered by students off class using own resources (e.g. literature research). The portfolios will be collected and commented by peers and the lecturer. Based on this feedback the portfolios are developed as a complimentary resource to the lecture slides in preparation for the final written exam. The portfolios serve to practice the access to the course and exam content but will not be graded. |
| Learning objectives | The students - understand the ecological effects of global change in different ecosystems and can explain patterns and the underlying mechanisms; - can critically analyze existing research approaches and available data in the context of global change ecology; - can identify the interface between the approach of ecological sciences and other sciences to describe and understand global change; - understand the challenges of finding solutions to the negative effects of global change. |
| Bibliography | Research articles as pdf-upload on ADAM will be supplied during the course. |
| Comments | Please note entry requirements and mandatory course application procedure (additional to registration on MOnA). MSD 2017 Mandatory lecture for MSD students with focus area in natural sciences. Students with focus area in social siences or in economics transfer the credit points to the FASR module (learning agreement). MSD 2010 Anrechnung für den Vertiefungsbereich Phil.-Nat. möglich (learning contract). This lecture is offered by MSD. Dr. P. Hirsch is post doc staff member of Men-Society-Environment, Dep. Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences. |
| Admission requirements | Non-MSD students must be studying a master's degree in the field of natural sciences. MSD 2017 Students who have chosen the focus area in social sciences or in economics must have completed the 'Complementary Knowledge in Natural Sciences' module (at least 8 CP). Mandatory lecture for students with focus area in natural sciences. No transfer of CP to another module possible. |
| Course application | Mandatory application for ALL: Link for application open from 15.01.20/noon - 05.02.20/midnight: https://adam.unibas.ch/goto_adam_fold_744950.html (Login on top row right hand side of ADAM website. The link is open as soon as the application form is online). NOTE: Be aware of special entry requirements. Course inscription via MOnA remains mandatory. In case of vacancies the mandatory online application link remains open incl. the second week of teaching + 2 days. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online course |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|
No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
Module: Core Competences in Natural Sciences (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | Regular attendance, readings, create a learning portfolio. Written examination (using online tool EvaExam) according to announcement of lecturer: 17.06.20: 14.15 - 15.45h. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | one repetition, best attempt counts |
| Scale | 1-6 0,1 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | University of Basel |
| Offered by | Departement Umweltwissenschaften |