Grand Challenges of Human-Ecosystem Interactions

6 EC

Semester 1, period 2

5264GCHE6Y

Owner Master Earth Sciences
Coordinator dr. Steven Droge
Part of Master Earth Sciences, track Future Planet Ecosystem Science, year 1Master Earth Sciences, track Environmental Management, year 2Master Earth Sciences, track Geo-Ecological Dynamics, year 2

Course manual 2018/2019

Course content

The course is designed around the grand challenges that we are facing in a world with an ever increasing human population within the limits of planetary boundaries. We will not try to cover the entire broadness of grand challenges but we will discuss six selected topics that are all closely related to our own research. We will discuss: i) the effects of local and global change (land use, eutrophication, pollution, climate) on biodiversity; ii) how we can successfully manage Earth's systems (through e.g. integrated land management, spatial planning, nature and soil conservation); and iii) how we can ensure ecosystem services provision in the future. In this course we use an interdisciplinary approach to understand specific challenges and opportunities relating to human ecosphere interactions.

Study materials

Literature

  • Scientific articles that can be obtained from different scientific journals via the University Library.

Other

  • Hand-outs of the lectures will be placed on Canvas

Objectives

By the time the course is completed, the student is able to:

  1. Analyze the mechanisms underlying ecosystem functioning under increasing human pressure, and evaluate the role of humans as factor in creating challenges to land-use and sustainable ecosystem provision.
  2. Provide examples of grand challenges of human-ecosphere interactions, evaluate the mechanisms under which these challenges may arise, and formulate solutions to address them.
  3.  Analyze and evaluate the (dis)advantages of an interdisciplinary approach in addressing grand challenges in human-ecosphere interactions.
  4. Develop a case study related to the grand challenges in a team; present the outcomes both orally and in the form of a written essay; and subsequently critically discuss them.
  5. Evaluate the currently missing (scientific) knowledge to predict the future of the interrelationship between human action and ecosystem response within the context of the grand challenges. 

Teaching methods

  • Lecture
  • Fieldwork/excursion
  • Presentation/symposium
  • Computer lab session/practical training
  • Supervision/feedback meeting
  • Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
  • Self-study

 

Contribution of teaching methods to learning process:

  • General regular and guest lectures are used both to introduce and/or exemplify topics, and to provide in depth theoretical knowledge. 
  • Knowledge is applied an internalized in related working groups linked to the lectures.
  • An excursion is organized to exemplify the topics and themes of the course and their interrelationship.
  • During the course, students work on a case study linked to one of the topics, under supervision and with feedback sessions of an expert to whose research the case study is related. The case study results in a written essay and a presentation at a symposium that is part of the course.

Learning activities

Activity

Number of hours

 

Lectures

28

 

Working groups

28

 

Symposium

4

 

Excursion

8

 

Self-study

100

 

Total

168

 

Attendance

The programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

Additional requirements for this course:

Attendance of and participation in the working groups, the excursion and the symposium is mandatory. A student may miss one working group. In that case the student will receive a 1.0 as grade for the assignment of that particular working group.

Assessment

Item and weight Details

Final grade

0.35 (35%)

Topic group assignments (working groups)

0.15 (15%)

Group presentation of chosen case study

0.5 (50%)

Essay related to chosen case study

Failure for meeting the deadline for the casus report will result in an incomplete grade and the necessity for a retake. The maximum grade in the case of a retake of the report will be a 6.0 to prevent the student in question from profiting from the extra available time to complete the work.

Assignments

Casus report

  • The casus report is a written assignment according to the specifications provided on Canvas. 

Working group assignments

  • Each working group includes a graded assignment. Details will be communicated via Canvas. Feedback is provided written or orally by the expert supervising that particular working group.

     

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Week   Subjects Study material
1

General introduction course and Grand Challenges (themes), forming of groups for
assignments and own casus, excursion. Based on the Planetary Boundary concept of
Rockström. (B. Jansen, R.E. Onstein, M. Berg).


Introduction of…

  • Theme 1: “Struggle for space” (land-system change, biosphere integrity, climate change, nature conservation, population growth, struggle for resources, trade-offs between ecosystem services).
  • Theme 2: “Biodiversity crisis” (globalization, biosphere integrity, predicting climate
    change biodiversity effects, uni-formation functional and genetic diversity).
  • Theme 3: “Sustainable ecosystem services” (soil carbon dynamics, deforestation,
    nutrient cycling, pollution, salinization).

 

In depth lectures and guest lectures, discussion and topic assignments on
“Struggle for space” (P. Verburg, E. Morriën).

  • Topic I: land-based mitigation of climate change.
  • Topic II: harmonizing land-use with nature conservation.

 

Group assignments related to the topics / working on own case study.

 

  See Canvas
2

 In depth lectures and guest lectures, discussion and topic assignments on
“Biodiversity crisis” (I. Smallegange, M. Berg).

  • Topic III: demography and management.
  • Topic IV: biodiversity change and consequences for ecosystem services.

 

Group assignments related to the topics / working on own case study.

 

  See Canvas
3

 In depth lectures and guest lectures, discussion and topic assignments on
“Sustainable ecosystem services” (B. Jansen, E. Cammeraat).

  • Topic V: soil carbon dynamics and deforestation.
  • Topic VI: land degradation and sustainable agriculture.

 

Group assignments related to the three topics/ working on own case study.

 

  See Canvas
4
  • Reflection on own case study
  • Handing in final product group assignments
  • Symposium (presentation case study)
  See Canvas

Additional information

This course uses a Canvas-site. Here, you’ll find all the necessary additional information, such as grouping for seminars, information on the assignments, additional literature. Therefore, check out the site regularly!

Contact information

Coordinator

  • dr. Steven Droge

Other coordinators

  • prof. dr. M.P. Berg
  • dr. R.E. Onstein

Staff

  • dr. L.H. Cammeraat
  • dr. W.E. Morriën
  • dr. Judy Shamoun-Baranes
  • dr. I.M. Smallegange
  • A. Tietema
  • prof.dr.ir. P.H. Verburg
  • Dr. C.A.M. van Gestel
  • N.L. Zweerus MSc