Tom Crowther: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2020

Name	Prof. Dr. Tom Crowther
Field	Global Ecosystem Ecology
Address	Institut für Integrative Biologie ETH Zürich, CHN G 66 Universitätstrasse 16 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND
E-mail	tom.crowther@usys.ethz.ch
Department	Environmental Systems Science
Relationship	Assistant Professor (Tenure Track)

Number	Title	ECTS	Hours	Lecturers
701-1461-00L	Ecology and Evolution: Seminar Direct continuation of course unit 701-1460-00L "Ecology and Evolution: Term Paper" of the previous semester (HS).	3 credits	6S	T. Städler, J. Alexander, S. Bonhoeffer, T. Crowther, A. Hall, J. Jokela, J. Payne, G. Velicer, A. Widmer
Abstract	The organization and functioning of academic research as well as academic publishing are introduced and applied: students critically review two term papers written by their student colleagues. Based on the reviews, the authors of the papers write reply letters and revise their own term papers. They finally present their topic during an in-house "mini-conference" with a talk.
Learning objective	• Students become familiar with the academic peer-review and publishing process • They learn to evaluate the quality of a manuscript and formulate constructive criticism • They learn to deal with criticism of their own work (by their student peers) • They practise oral presentations and discussions in English
Content	The organization and functioning of academic research as well as academic publishing are introduced and applied: students critically review two term papers written by their student colleagues. Based on the reviews, the authors of the papers write reply letters and revise their own term papers. They finally present their topic during an in-house "mini-conference" with a talk.
Lecture notes	none
Prerequisites / Notice	Direct continuation of "Ecology and Evolution: Term Paper" of the previous semester
701-1646-00L	Carbon and Nutrient Cycling in a Changing Climate and Land-Use	5 credits	3G	F. Hagedorn, T. Crowther, S. Dötterl
Abstract	The course covers the pools and fluxes of carbon and nutrients in forests and dynamic landscapes and how they are affected by a changing climate and land-use. Specifically, the course explores carbon and nutrient cycling: (i) in vegetation and soils at the plot to global scale; (ii) the role of abiotic soil properties as controls; and (iii) the effects of climate changes and land management.
Learning objective	The students learn to identify, analyze and propose solutions for problems associated with land management and climate change on carbon and nutrient cycling in forests and dynamic landscapes.
Content	After short thematic introductions, the students will work in small groups on the following topics: Part 1 Carbon and nutrient pools and fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems of Switzerland o Carbon and nutrient cycles from the plot to national scale o Impacts of land use changes on biomass and soil carbon o Effects of soil warming and drought Part 2: Rock, soil, sediment: Geomorphic cascades and soil weathering o Weathering and geochemistry as controls on carbon and nutrient cycles o Feedbacks between soil development, soil transport and soil loss for carbon cycling o Global patterns and consequences of disturbance for soil landscapes Part 3: Global biogeochemical cycles and climate change o Global biogeochemical cycles and impacts on climate o Carbon cycle feedbacks to climate change o Changes in global nutrient balance The students will work on specific projects which includes the evaluation and interpretation of data as well as the preparation of a presentation either as a poster, report or a talk.
Prerequisites / Notice	Apart from a background in terrestrial ecosystems, the students must have basic knowledge in soil sciences, plant nutrition, and biogeochemical cycles. Given that the background of the students will be very heterogeneous, the course will build on individual learning and interactive teaching. The format of the course is that the students work in small groups of 2 or 3 members on a small project in each of the three parts of the course. Introductory information will be given on the first day of the course and at the beginning of each part. For structuring the project, homework will be given from week to week. Each group will do a poster presentation (end of part 1), a short report (end of part 2) and an oral presentation (end of part 3) on their respective subjects. Active participation at all contact hours is compulsory for all students.
701-1674-00L	Geospatial Data Management and Analysis Number of participants limited to 25. Prerequisites: 701-0951-00L "GIS - Introduction into Geoinformation Science" in autum semester or comparable preparatory training.	5 credits	4G	M. A. M. Niederhuber, T. Crowther
Abstract	Problems encountered in forest and landscape management often have a spatial dimension. Methods of geoinformation sciences provide support in identifying creative solutions. Students will learn to a) understand, search for, and manage different forms of geospatial data; b) conceptualize, implement, and combine spatial analysis methods; and c) interpret the results.
Learning objective	Understand, search for, and manage various types of geospatial data; Carry out conceptual data modelling for a spatial problem and translate it into a tangible form within a GIS software; Conceptualize spatial problems and design a workflow that transitions from "data processing" through "advanced spatial analysis" to "presentation of results"; Implement such a workflow in standard GIS software, verify and validate the procedures, then present the final results.
Prerequisites / Notice	Knowledge and skills equal those of the course "GIST - Einführung in die räumliche Informationswissenschaften und Technologien"