Learning Outcomes (LO)
1. Recognize biodiversity at the scale of terrestrial ecosystems (TE), the main types (biomes) and several subtypes.
2. Characterize the main abiotic components constraining TE
3. Recognize the complexity of the processes underlying TE
4. Recognize temporal dynamics and change derived from human action
5. Identify the global threats and recognize monitoring/conservation programs for TE
Skills
General (GS)
1. Develop an integrative type of reasoning
2. Team work
3. Perform bibliographic searches and write synthesis
4. Report scientific information
5. Write a scientific report
Specific (SS)
1. Analyze spatial data on climate
2. Analyze geomorphologic data
3. Sample and analyze basic soil parameters
4. Analyze spatial data on vegetation
5. Apply vegetation sampling techniques
6. Apply fauna sampling techniques
1. Ecosystem diversity
Introduction to ecosystem ecology
Ecosystem structure
The variety of TE
The biome concept and the major environmental factors in terrestrial biomes
The major terrestrial biomes: tundra, taiga, desert, deciduous forest, tropical forest, grassland.
2. Physical environment
Earths’s climate system
Geology and Soils
Terrestrial water
3. Ecosystem processes
Carbon input
Plant Production
Terrestrial decomposition
Nutrient cycling
Trophic dynamics
Global biogeochemical cycles
4. Ecosystem dynamics and change
Temporal Dynamics
Changes in the Earth system
Human associated change
Factors affecting TE integrity
Pollution
Destruction of habitats
Invasive species
Climate change
5. Monitoring and conservation
Monitoring of TE
Management and conservation of TE
Theoretic-practical classes. Lectures for the presentation of concepts, exploration of examples, and reading of articles/reports. Assessment: Task I (individual) - The concept of biome (text with two A4 pages); Task II (groups of 3 students) - Physical Aspects of the terrestrial environment (two A4 pages with text and slide show); theoretical test (development issues). Practical classes. Computational methods to organize and analyze spatial data on climate, geomorphology, vegetation (QGIS and R applications) are used; sampling techniques for plant species (plots, methods based on distances) and animals (sampling of insects and birds) are applied; sampling and analysis of the basic parameters of the soil. Tutorial files are provided with the procedures to perform and the expected results. Students (groups of 3) prepare a scientific report and answer a questionnaire (individual) on the topics taught.
Adams, J. (2012) Vegetation-Climate Interaction: How Plants Make the Global Environment, 2nd ed. Springer, New York, 266 pp.
Ågren, G. I., F. O. Andersson (2012) Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology: Principles and Applications. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 330 pp.
Bivand, R. S., E. Pebesma, V. Gómez-Rubio (2013) Applied Spatial Data Analysis with R, 2nd ed. Springer, New York, 405 pp.
Bonham, C. D. (2013) Measurements for Terrestrial Vegetation, 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester, 260 pp.
Chapin III, S. F., P. A. Matson, P. Vitousek (2012) Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology, 2nd ed. Springer, New York, 529 pp.
Perrings, C. (2014) Our Uncommon Heritage: Biodiversity Change, Ecosystem Services, and Human Wellbeing. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 557 pp.
Woodward, S. L. (2009) Introduction to Biomes (Greenwood Guides to Biomes of the World). Greenwood, Westport, 184 pp.
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