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Global Change Ecology FS 600x (3 credits) Spring 2008 Time: Tues, Thurs 1200-1350 Instructor: Bev Law (RH328) Room: Peavy 276 Email: [email protected] Objectives: Explore key research findings on global change Read, discuss, and present current papers on global change Learn to communicate findings with a general audience Explore the human dimensions of global change Rationale: An interdisciplinary discourse on what is known about global change and dynamics of the Earth System, including principles of climate, influences on ecosystem functioning and connectivity (oceans, land, atmosphere) needed to understand responses of the Earth System to human activities. We will discuss the scientific basis for global change assessments and policy measures. Students will lead discussions of key research findings. Topics include the physical climate system and its variability, impacts of changing climate on ecosystem processes (e.g. carbon and water cycling), connectivity of the Earth System over space and time (via oceans, atmospheric transport, and the legacy of past disturbance), and responses of the Earth System to human activities. A team-oriented final exam will be mock congressional briefings on climate change. Course Outcomes: Students will be able to: Describe the key factors of global change, and connectivity of the Earth system over space and time. Deliver a coherent, informative, and interesting scientific presentation. Prepare a coherent, informative, and tractable research proposal on a global change topic. Answer scientific questions concisely and effectively in front of an audience. Moderate a discussion among colleagues. Deliver a coherent oral briefing on global change. Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Disability Access Services (DAS). Students with accommodations approved through DAS are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through DAS should contact DAS immediately at 737-4098. Statement of Expectations for Student Conduct http://oregonstate.edu/admin/stucon/achon.htm Required Reading: Flannery, T. 2005. The Weathermakers. Steffen, W., A. Sanderson, P.D. Tyson, J. Jager, P.A. Matson, B. Moore III, F. Oldfield, K. Richardson, H.J. Schellnhuber, B.L. Turner II, R.J. Wasson. 2005. Global Change and the Earth System. Springer, New York. IPCC Fourth Assessment Report. Climate Change 2007. WG1, WG2, WG3 Technical Summaries and Summary for Policy Makers http://www.ipcc.ch Supplemental Reading: Science Magazine’s State of the Planet, 2006-2007. 2006. Eds D. Kennedy et al. AAAS, USA. Grading: Standard curve for assigning grades (A=90s, B=80s, C=70s, D=60s). Grades will be calculated as follows: Mid-term Final exam (Senate briefing) Class participation 20% 20% 60% Mid-term writing assignment: In place of a mid-term exam, a writing assignment will be a scientific proposal on a global change topic of your choice (but not thesis topic). This is not a term paper; it is a short proposal that identifies unanswered scientific questions and a proposed approach to addressing the questions, including methods (observations, experiments, analyses, instruments). Details and deadlines related to this assignment will be discussed in class. The subject area must relate to global change and must have implications for policy. The writing assignment will be graded based on writing quality and content, so grammar and clarity are important. Assignment is due on the mid-term date. Final Exam: A final exam is scheduled and counts for 20% of the grade. This is based on oral performance in the mock senate briefing. The briefing is expected to demonstrate breadth and depth of knowledge about global change, which will draw from the reading material discussed in the class, and ability to communicate science to senators. Reading Assignments: The Weather Makers is a presentation of how humans are changing the climate and what it means for life on Earth. It is presented in an easily readable form. This will be followed by the text book, Global Change and the Earth System, which is a synthesis and is intended to provide an in depth reference to recent global change science (oceans, land, atmosphere). The 2007 IPCC report is an update on the state of knowledge about climate change (physical basis, impacts, vulnerability, adaptation, mitigation). In each class, 1-2 students will lead discussion of the assigned reading and prepare questions for the audience. The audience should prepare questions for the speakers. The discussion sessions and daily class participation will be 60% of the grade. WEEK DATE TOPIC ASSIGNED READING 1 Steffen et al. Ch 1, "An Integrated Earth System" Apr 8 Introduction: goals, objectives, organization, grading. The nature of global change Oceans, atmosphere, climate change theories Climate and evolution, fossil fuel era Apr 10 Global change – examples of ecological Apr 1 Apr 3 2 The Weather Makers (Flannery) – Part 1 p 1-45 The Weather Makers – Part 1 P 45-82 The Weather Makers – Part 2 impacts Global change – examples of ecological impacts The Science of Prediction P 83-113 The Weather Makers – Part 2 P 114-153 The Weather Makers – Part 3 P 153-210 Apr 24 The role of humans – ‘People in Green Houses’ The role of humans – Solutions 5 Apr 29 May 1 Mid-term proposal preparation Mid-term: Evaluation of proposals 6 May 6 Dynamics of the Earth System; Range of climate variability pre-human, role of biology in earth system functioning Spatial variability, connectivity, abrupt change Human Influence: Drivers of change Characterization of changes (land, atmosphere, hydrologic cycle) Responses to fossil fuel combustion, landuse land cover change Integrated responses to human forcing The Weather Makers – Part 4 P 213-264 The Weather Makers Part 5; P 267-315 Proposals due May 1 Review proposals – presentations and feedback from group Steffen et al. Ch 2, "Planetary Machinery: The Dynamics of the Earth System Prior to Significant Human Influence" Ch 2 cont’d Guest speaker (COAS) - radiative forcing Steffen et al. Ch 3, "The Anthropocene Era: How Humans are Changing the Earth System" Ch 3 cont’d Guest speaker – future vegetation responses Steffen et al. Ch 4, "Reverberations of Change: The Responses of the Earth System to Human Activities” Ch 4 cont’d Guest speaker – ocean acidification IPCC WG1Climate change 2007: The physical science basis 3 Apr 15 Apr 17 4 Apr 22 May 8 7 8 9 May 13 May 15 May 20 May 22 May 27 10 May 29 Jun 3 11 Jun 5 Jun 10 Physical science basis of climate change: changes in radiative forcing, climate, snow & ice Observed changes and responses in natural and managed systems Mitigation of climate change – update by the IPCC Final exam IPCC WG2: Impacts, adaptation, vulnerability IPCC WG3: Mitigation of climate change ALLP briefing preparation Senate briefing 10-12N