Back to selection
50264-01 - Lecture with practical courses: Global Change Ecology (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers | Serena Abel (serena.abel@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 complementary 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 the specific entry requirements and mandatory course application procedure (additional to registration on MOnA). For details see section "admission requirements". MSD 2017 Mandatory lecture for MSD students with focus area in natural sciences, CP can only be recognized for the published module. Students with focus area in social siences or in economics have to transfer the credit points to the FASR module (learning agreement). This lecture is offered by MSD. S. Abel is a post doc staff member of Man-Society-Environment (MGU), Dep. Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences. |
| Admission requirements | Mandatory course application, for details see "course application" or "Anmeldung". Limited number of participants (25). Students of the MSD (incl. MSD preparation semester) have a first priority. Non-MSD students must be studying a master's degree within the Department of Environmental Sciences/Faculty of Siences and can attend this class in case of vacancies. 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 (or earned at least 8 out of 12 CP). |
| Course application | Please note entry requirements. For details see section "admission requirements". Mandatory application for ALL! Link open from 15.01.25/noon-04.02.25/midnight: NOTE: Link only guides to the ADAM website. You have to DO THE LOGIN to get access to the survey. First emails with confirmation of participation will be sent out at the end of the first deadline. In case of vacancies the online application LINK remains OPEN until 27.02.35/noon. Course enrollment on online services should be completed by the beginning of the teaching period (withdrawal possible until Monday of teaching week five). |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Friday | 10.15-12.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Comments |
Exam: 13.06.25; repeat examination: 27.06.25. Details regarding schedule and rooms see details below. |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 21.02.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Friday 28.02.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Friday 07.03.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Friday 14.03.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Fasnachstferien |
| Friday 21.03.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Friday 28.03.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Friday 04.04.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Friday 11.04.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Friday 18.04.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Ostern |
| Friday 25.04.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Friday 02.05.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Friday 09.05.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Friday 16.05.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Friday 23.05.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Friday 30.05.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Auffahrt |
| Friday 13.06.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 120 |
| Friday 27.06.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| 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: 13.06.2025, during usual lecture time, room details see online directory/section "Dates & Rooms". Repetition exam: 27.06.2025, during usual lecture time, Vesalianum, seminar room 02.02 |
| 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 |