Ecosystems in a Changing Climate – Processes, Landscapes and Climate Interactions

The course includes 7,5 credits at undergraduate level and can be included in a Bachelor's degree in Earth Sciences with specialisation in climatology.

The course can be included in the following programme:

N1GVS Bachelor's Programme in Earth Sciences

N1GEO Bachelor's Programme in Geography

N2GEO Master's Programme in Geography

Admission to the course requires 90 credits in the main field of study of Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences or Geography. Including basic knowledge of climate- and ecosystems (e.g. through one of the courses GV1410 Geoscience: Basic Course, GVN400 Investigation Methods in Earth Sciences or NG0210 Field Course in the Subarctic - Physical Geography and Ecology).

Applicants with equivalent education may be admitted to the course after assessment.

The course consists of three integrated modules: Theory, Fieldwork and Project.

The course aims to provide an integrated understanding of how ecosystems are affected by and interact with the climate across different spatial and temporal scales. The focus is on key ecological and climate-related processes, such as biogeography and scale thinking, climate-ecosystem feedbacks (including carbon balance, albedo and hydrology), and basic biogeochemistry and greenhouse gas dynamics.

The course combines theoretical elements with practical field and analysis exercises in which students work on collecting, interpreting and integrating data on vegetation, soil and climate. The content also includes an introduction to dendroecology and how climate and environmental gradients are reflected in tree growth.

Throughout the course, students are trained to link observations and data to larger climate and ecosystem processes, with a particular focus on understanding change, variation and interactions in the landscape.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• describe biogeography and ecological structures as well as key climate-ecosystem feedbacks . 
• explain basic biogeochemistry and the driving forces behind greenhouse gas fluxes.
• use dendrochronological principles to interpret tree and forest growth patterns over time and space.

Competence and skills

• plan and carry out field sampling and document collected material using correct methods and metadata.
• integrate field data with geodata/remote sensing to place local observations in a landscape context. 
• process and analyse time series and present results in figures/maps/reports.

Judgement and approach

• critically assess uncertainties in measurements and simpler model assumptions, and discuss transferability between scales.
• discuss the role of ecosystems in the climate system and implications for nature restoration.

The teaching consists of lectures, compulsory laboratory work, compulsory seminars, a compulsory field component and a group project that is presented orally and in writing. Guest lectures may occur.

Language of instruction: Swedish, the course is given in English if needed.

The course is examined through two modules:

Module 1: Theory, written exam, 4 credits: U/G/VG

Module 2: Field studies, active participation in the field, group project work, written report and short oral presentation with opponent, 3,5 credits: U/G

Compulsory laboratory work, seminars and fieldwork are included in the course.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

For the grade Pass (G) on the entire course, all compulsory modules must be passed. To receive the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) on the entire course,a Pass with Distinction (VG) grade is also required for Module 1 Theory.

Students are given the opportunity to make a written, anonymou evaluation of the course.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

Students admitted to N1GVS Bachelor's Programme in Earth Sciences, have priority for the course.

Excursions may incur additional costs for students.