Global Environmental and Ecosystems Changes

The course is aimed at analysis and development of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the analysis of the structure and the interaction between various parts of biosphere. After completion of this course students will be able to define and to analyse the causes and consequences of global environmental and ecosystems changes. The emphasis is on the analysis of distinct global environmental processes and problems. The theoretical knowledge will be put in practice during case study oriented practical classes.

Gain systematic knowledge and develop practical skills to analyze the structure of the biosphere, the interaction between its individual components and their global changes.

-

Earth system analysis. Spatial and temporal variability of natural and anthropogenic changes Global changes in major components of the earth system. The role of feedback in the earth system Palaeoclimate, proxies. Climate and environmental changes forcings and their dynamics in the past. Radiative forcing concept and its application. Climate change: trends, causes, differences from the changes occurred in the past. Emissions scenarios (SRES, RCP) and climate projections. Climate modelling. Responses to climate change. Global changes in vegetation, soil, ocean and atmosphere. Land use changes. Biogeochemical cycles and their changes. Biodiversity changes and future scenarios. Biological invasions. The role of ecosystems in the earth system. Interaction between biota and their environment. Critical load concept. The responses of populations and communities to climate change and adaptation. Productivity changes. Globalization and its impact on environment. Adaptation (ecological, social and economic systems) to climate change and its policy All laboratory works, case study.

The complexity of the Earth system is explained The main interactions between processes in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere and biosphere are analyzed Defines the concept of paleoclimate, explains the main processes of past climate change, the reasons based on paleo indicators Long-term changes in ecosystems and key components of the environment are summarized and their possible causes explained The main causes and possible consequences of changes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are analyzed The impact of economic, social and political systems on the state of the environment and ecosystems, the interaction of these systems with natural processes in the environment is analyzed.