Download Global Change SyllabusFS600x

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