Terrestrial Ecosystems

Objectives

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

Program

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

Teaching Methodologies

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.

Bibliography

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.