B029623 - ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND CLIMATE CHANGE

English

The module will provide a short introduction to the concepts of ecosystem functions and services, with examples from terrestrial and aquatic environments. Notions and researches on anthropogenic climate change and it effects on such services and functions will be then illustrated. The models and the predictions of the effects of future climate changes and ocean acidification on single organisms and ecosystems will be described.

Hannah, L., 2014. Climate change biology. Academic Press.

Knowledge: basic knowledge about the evolution of the climate on earth and its effects on the ecosystems. Predictive models for the impact of climate changes on species distribution and ecosystem functioning.

Acquired competences: Capability of understanding the relationships between climate changes and anthropogenic impact. Capability of understanding the effects of climate changes on ecosystems. Capability of interpreting the strong link between healthy natural ecosystems and human well-being.

Capabilities acquired at the end of the course: capability to understand and estimate how climate changes affects different ecosystems. Capability to discuss with awareness climate change impacts with people who do not agree with the scientific evidences (the so called 'climate sceptics').

none

Lectures, seminars held by the students on topics previously discussed with the teacher

Projects: preparation of group seminars and oral presentations on specific topics.

Final examination: short written essays

Introduction to the concept of ecosystem functions: its definition and examples from terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. The concept of ecosystem services and the definition of the economic, cultural and social 'value' of natural ecosystems.

Introduction to anthropogenic climate changes: basic notions related to climate and greenhouse effect. Global warming: scientific data vs human perceptions, real causes and relationship with the recent increase in greenhouse gas emissions, future scenarios. Impact of global warming on natural ecosystems and consequences for their provisioning of function and services. Impact of global warming on the phenology, the geographic distribution and behaviour of natural populations and their interrelations in their environment: the comparative physiology approach.

Ocean acidification (OA), definition and causes. Description of the chemical properties of OA; the meaning of both the decrease in pH and the increase in CO2 in ocean waters for marine organisms. Impacts of OA on coastal and marine habitats and their consequences for ecosystem functions.Impact of OA on the physiology, biology and distribution of marine species.

Integrated impacts of climatic changes and anthropogenic impacts. Synergistic effects of pollution and climatic changes. Impacts of f climatic changes on biological invasions.

SDG4. Quality Education
SDG13. Climate Action
SDG15. Life on Land