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Course unit
GLOBAL CHANGE AND FOREST ECOSYSTEMS
AVP7078901, A.A. 2018/19
Information concerning the students who enrolled in A.Y. 2018/19
ECTS: details
Type |
Scientific-Disciplinary Sector |
Credits allocated |
Core courses |
AGR/05 |
Forestry and Silviculture |
7.0 |
Course unit organization
Period |
Second semester |
Year |
1st Year |
Teaching method |
frontal |
Type of hours |
Credits |
Teaching hours |
Hours of Individual study |
Shifts |
Practice |
4.0 |
32 |
68.0 |
No turn |
Lecture |
3.0 |
24 |
51.0 |
No turn |
Start of activities |
25/02/2019 |
End of activities |
14/06/2019 |
Examination board
Board |
From |
To |
Members of the board |
2 Commissione a.a. 2018/19 |
01/12/2018 |
30/11/2019 |
CARRER
MARCO
(Presidente)
PIVIDORI
MARIO
(Membro Effettivo)
ANFODILLO
TOMMASO
(Supplente)
LINGUA
EMANUELE
(Supplente)
PETIT
GIAI
(Supplente)
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1 Commissione a.a. 2017/18 |
01/12/2017 |
30/11/2018 |
CARRER
MARCO
(Presidente)
PIVIDORI
MARIO
(Membro Effettivo)
ANFODILLO
TOMMASO
(Supplente)
LINGUA
EMANUELE
(Supplente)
PETIT
GIAI
(Supplente)
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Prerequisites:
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No specific prerequisites are requested however, having attended the basic courses of Biology, Botany and Ecology is advisable. |
Target skills and knowledge:
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Global climate change is likely one of the most critical issues we are facing and we will face in the next future. Considering that forests are one of the key components of the climate system, future managers should acquire awareness and understanding to better cope to this complex phenomenon.
This course introduces you to:
• The meaning of climate in a broad time scale perspective
• the role of different factors in regulating the climate
• what is climate change
• the different tools and approaches to study climate change
• the effect of climate change on forests and ecosystems |
Examination methods:
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Multiple choice written test with few open questions plus oral presentation and group discussions. These latter according to the number of students. |
Assessment criteria:
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Oral presentation of a scientific article: 10%
Written test with mainly close and few open questions: 85%
Class participation: 5%
Presentations will be graded for their content and the quality of exposition. |
Course unit contents:
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The climate system: i) the atmosphere, structure, composition, dynamics; ii) the other components; iii) the role of forests within the climate system. CFU: 1
Causes of climate change: i) external and internal mechanisms; ii) time scales of changes. CFU:1
Defining the climate: i) instrumental vs proxi data; ii) Measurements vs reconstructions. CFU:2
Tracking the changes: i) paleo and contemporary climate changes; ii) climate models and future changes. CFU:1
Studying and assessing the effects: i) physiological mechanisms; ii) acclimation; monitoring and managements; iii) the role of extreme climate events. CFU:2 |
Planned learning activities and teaching methods:
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Teaching and learning methods include lecture-based input; presentation and discussions of the reading assignments and field visits. |
Additional notes about suggested reading:
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1-PowerPoint slides from the lectures.
2-A selection of papers from scientific journals.
3-Selected chapters from the textbook:
Chapin III FS, Matson PA, Mooney HA, (2011). Principles of terrestrial ecosystem ecology. Springer
Ruddiman W.F. (2013). Earth's Climate: Past and Future. W. H. Freeman.
Hannah L. (2014) Climate Change Biology. Elsevier Science.
4-IPCC reports freely available from the IPCC website.
Further reading and updated journal articles will be suggested along the course.
Consultation hours: Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 15:00 only upon agreement |
Textbooks (and optional supplementary readings) |
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