This course focuses on the interactions of global change, ecosystem processes, land use practices, politics, and society. Impacts of global change on forests and agro-ecosystems that will strongly affect sustainable resource use across the 21st century and responsible and smart solutions are addressed.
Learning objective
Students will better understand the impacts of global change on ecosystems and food systems at a range of spatial and temporal scales, be able to synthesize knowledge from various disciplines in the context of global change, and be able to evaluate options for sustainable resource use, climate mitigation and adaptation options.
Students will learn to present scientific information to a scientific audience by preparing an executive summary and an oral presentation to answer a specific scientific question. Students will get extensive feedback from teachers and peers. Thereby, students will also learn how to give constructive feedback to peers.
Content
Changes in climate and land use are major issues that students will be faced with during their working life, independently of where they will work. Thus, an advanced understanding on how global change, ecosystem processes, land use practices, politics, and society interact and that it is critical to act responsibly and work as an agricultural or environmental scientist in the future.
Thus, during this course, the effects of global change on forests and agro-ecosystems as well as their feedbacks to the climate system will be presented and discussed. Effects on ecosystem structure, composition, productivity and biogeochemical cycling, but also on the stability of production systems against disturbances will be addressed.
Up-to-date scenarios and models for coupled human-environmental systems will be discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of different management options will be evaluated, including sustainable resource use and climate mitigation as well as adaptation.
Prerequisites / Notice
This course is based on fundamental knowledge about plant ecophysiology, soil science, and ecology in general.
Competencies
Subject-specific Competencies
Concepts and Theories
assessed
Method-specific Competencies
Decision-making
assessed
Media and Digital Technologies
assessed
Problem-solving
assessed
Project Management
assessed
Social Competencies
Communication
assessed
Cooperation and Teamwork
assessed
Personal Competencies
Adaptability and Flexibility
assessed
Creative Thinking
assessed
Critical Thinking
assessed
Integrity and Work Ethics
assessed
Self-awareness and Self-reflection
fostered
Self-direction and Self-management
assessed
Performance assessment
Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Repetition only possible after re-enrolling for the course unit.
Additional information on mode of examination
Attendance and active participation during all parts of the course is expected (min. 80% attendance in presence). Performance assessment consists of different parts: (1) active participation (counts 20%), (2) executive summary (group work; 4-5 persons per group; counts 30%) and (3) group presentation; counts 50%). All parts are due during the semester. The use of AI for writing will be discussed.
Group/Topic registration is open until Thursday, 22 February, 6 pm. The entry for group work counts as registration for the performance assessment. Last deregistration date for this course is Monday, 26 February, 10 pm. Please note that after that date, no deregistration is accepted, and the course will be graded in any case.
Learning materials
No public learning materials available.
Only public learning materials are listed.
Groups
No information on groups available.
Restrictions
There are no additional restrictions for the registration.
Performance assessment as a semester course