Module BIOL3541: Global Change Biology

Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences

BIOL3541: Global Change Biology

Prerequisites

• Ecology

Corequisites

• At least one other Level 3 Biology module.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To provide a thorough background to the key natural and anthropogenic drivers of environmental change.
• To provide a research-led focus of the likely biotic consequences of past, present and future changes occurring in the environment.
• To apply an understanding of animal and plant physiological, growth and behavioural responses to the threats of environmental change upon biodiversity and conservation of natural ecosystems across the globe.
• To provide an introduction to the methods and techniques of monitoring, measurement, manipulation experimentation, and modelling in both laboratory and field, in order to detect impacts of past, present and predicted future environmental changes.

Content

• Past, present and future changes in the global environment. Natural and anthropogenic influences.
• The biosphere and global environmental change: Species responses (behavioural, spatial, genetic responses; Individualism of response).
• Ecosystems and environmental change (pollutants, trace gases – marine, freshwater and terrestrial).
• The role of the biosphere in the earth system (land surface-atmosphere interactions).
• Hazards and risks posed to the biosphere by potential future global environmental changes.
• Adaptation and migration strategies in the face of environmental change.
• One-day excursion to observe impacts of environmental change upon the ecology of the local environment of the North East of England.

Learning Outcomes

• Evaluate and discuss coherently the major arguments for and against anthropogenic environmental change.
• Comprehend the importance of knowledge of past environments in understanding environments of the present day and changes predicted for the future.
• Comprehend the role of the biosphere in the earth system as well as the importance of the recently emerging trend in “earth-system” science in the future research agenda.
• Comprehend the current modelling initiatives designed to predict the biological impacts of future climatic change.
• Evaluate and appraise the potential options currently available to mitigate against climatic change and to conserve species and global biodiversity.

• Comprehension of the key arguments relating to environmental change.
• Knowledge of the current research agenda in this rapidly developing field- notably the use of modelling and palaeoecological studies in understanding past and likely future impacts of environmental change.
• Ability to undertake a modelling exercise in order to consolidate understaning of key theoretical concepts taught on the course.

• Further develop detailed knowledge of key parts of the core curriculum through analysis of Durham-led research case studies in the relevant topics.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures, Workshops, Unseen exam and Data handling.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Fieldtrip

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University