Nina Buchmann: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016

Name Prof. Dr. Nina Buchmann
FieldGraslandwissenschaften
Address
Professur Graslandwissenschaften
ETH Zürich, LFW C 56
Universitätstrasse 2
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 39 59
E-mailnina.buchmann@usys.ethz.ch
DepartmentEnvironmental Systems Science
RelationshipFull Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
751-0013-00LWorld Food System4 credits4VN. Buchmann, R. Finger, M. Kreuzer, M. Loessner, D. Moretti, M. Siegrist, E. J. Windhab
AbstractKnowledge about the World Food System will be provided, based on case studies along food value chains in countries with various development stages and dependent on multiple boundary conditions. This shall generate profound understanding of the associated global challenges especially food scarcity, suboptimal diet and nutrition, food quality and safety as well as effects on the environment.
ObjectiveAttending this course, the students will recognize the elements of the World Food System (WFS) approach and the problems it this supposed to treat. They will especially comprehend the four pillars of global food security, namely (I) food availability (including sustainable production and processing), (I) access to food (physical and monetary), (III) food use (including quality and safety as well as the impact on human health and well being) and (IV) resilience to the boundary conditions (environmental, economic and political). This insight will make them aware of the global driving forces behind our ETH research on food security and is expected to alleviate motivation and understanding for the association of subsequent specific courses within a general context. The course equivalently implements agricultural and food sciences, thus supporting the interdisciplinary view on the WFS scope.
ContentCase studies on certain foods of plant and animal origin serve to demonstrate the entire food value chain from the production of raw material to processed food and its consumer relevant property functions. In doing so, important corresponding aspects for developed, emerging and developing countries are demonstrated, by use of engineering as well as natural and social science approaches.
Lecture notesHandouts and links are provided online.
LiteratureInformation on books and other literature references is communicated during the course.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe course shall particularly elucidate the cross section of Agro- and Food Sciences in the context of important global problems to be solved. Furthermore the students in the first year of studies shall be given some insight and outlook supporting the development of their views and interests in agricultural and food sciences further.
The course is part of the block exam after the first study year. Paper copies can be used ("Open Book") during the on-line exam, but no other means are not allowed. The course is taught in German.
751-0021-00LWorld Food System Summer School Restricted registration - show details
Does not take place this semester.
Number of participants limited to 25.

It is necessary to apply and be selected in order to participate in this course. This also applies to ETH Zurich applicants, they will go through a competitive selection process and are not guaranteed a place simply by signing up for the course.

Further information available: Link
4 credits6PN. Buchmann
AbstractProvide the opportunity for young scientists and practitioners to understand the challenges and opportunities of sustainable agriculture and organic production systems and to connect these to the broader context of the world food system. During the two week summer school at the Gut Rheinau, one of Switzerlands largest organic farms, participants will engage in lectures, workshops, group work, case
ObjectiveUnderstand: the science, relationships, interactions and trade-offs in food systems; the role and potential of organic production systems; potential interventions; the cultural, socio-political, economic and environmental factors to be incorporated into solutions. Build skills in systems thinking, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary collaboration, participatory processes. Connect to a network of expert faculty/ scientists/ practitioners
ContentThe content framework includes the following modules: world food system overview; agricultural production; Global change drivers; smallholder livelihoods and rural development; Agroforest systems; labelling; International policy and trade; Processing, distribution, and retail; Nutrition and health; National policy and state interventions. The course will conclude with a group work on food system challenges.
LiteratureParticipants will receive pre-reading material before the course commences.
Prerequisites / NoticeNo prerequisites. Program is open to Masters, PhD and upper level Bachelor students.
751-1010-00LIntroduction to Scientific Writing in Agricultural Sciences Restricted registration - show details
Prerequisite: successful participation in "Farm Placement" (751-0201-00L).
2 credits4GB. Dorn, M. Barthel, N. Buchmann, A. K. Gilgen, M. C. Härdi-Landerer, S. Hirsch, A. Hofmann, S. Marquardt, A. Oberson Dräyer, J. Pfeifer, M. Wiggenhauser
AbstractDie Studierenden kennen die Grundlagen und die Konventionen des wissenschaftlichen Schreibens in den Naturwissenschaften, können wissenschaftliche Literatur suchen und verwalten sowie wissenschaftliche Publikationen analysieren. Sie setzen das Gelernte beim Schreiben eines eigenen Textes um.
ObjectiveDie Studierenden kennen die Grundlagen und die Konventionen des wissenschaftlichen Schreibens in den Naturwissenschaften. Sie setzen das Gelernte beim Schreiben eines kritischen Literaturberichtes in deutscher Sprache zu einem agrarwissenschaftlichen Thema ihrer Wahl um. Die Lehrveranstaltung bereitet die Studierenden auf weitere schriftliche Arbeiten im Studium der Agrarwissenschaften vor, beispielsweise auf die Bachelor-Arbeit.
Lecture notesEs wird ein Skript abgegeben.
751-4001-00LForage Cropping Information 2 credits2GN. Buchmann, A. Lüscher
AbstractThis course is an introduction into forage cropping and grassland sciences. Topics include: extensive/intensive use, grassland evaluation, grassland maintenance, management using fertilization, cutting, etc. Relationships between site, vegetation composition and management will be explored.
ObjectiveDie Studierenden werden wichtige Mischungen und Pflanzengemeinschaften mitteleuropäischer Graslandökosysteme kennen, klassische und aktuelle Arbeiten der Bestandesökophysiologie kennen, in der Lage sein, den Einfluss von Umweltfaktoren und Bewirtschaftung nicht nur auf Einzelpflanzen, sondern auf Pflanzenbestände und ihre Erträge abzuschätzen, und üben, ein wissenschaftliches Thema schriftlich prägnant zusammenzufassen.
ContentIn diesem Kurs werden die verschiedenen Typen des Futterbaus und die wichtigsten Mischungen, aber auch natürliche Pflanzengemeinschaften in Mitteleuropa vorgestellt (Bestandesbeurteilung). Basierend auf der Ökophysiologie von Einzelpflanzen wird die Ökophysiologie von Pflanzenbeständen erarbeitet. Es werden verschiedene Arten der Bewirtschaftung vorgestellt (z. B. Bestandeslenkung durch Düngung, Beweidung, Schnitttermine, etc.) und ihre Auswirkungen auf die Bestandeszusammensetzung und auf die Erträge diskutiert. Feedback-Mechanismen zwischen Umwelt und Futterbausystemen werden angesprochen.
Lecture notesHandouts werden auf dem Netz zur Verfügung gestellt.
LiteratureWird in der Veranstaltung angesprochen.
Prerequisites / NoticeCourse will be given in German. Course builds on the Ertrags- und Ökophysiologie lecture and provides the basics for the Graslandsysteme.
751-4003-01LCurrent Topics in Grassland Sciences (HS) Information 2 credits2SN. Buchmann
AbstractResearch results in agro- and forest ecosystem sciences will be presented by experienced researchers as well as Ph.D. and graduate students. Citation classics as well as recent research results will be discussed. Topics will range from plant ecophysiology, biodiversity and biogeochemistry to management aspects in agro- and forest ecosystems.
ObjectiveStudents will be able to understand and evaluate experimental design and data interpretation of on-going studies, be able to critically analyze published research results, practice to present and discuss results in the public, and gain a broad knowledge of recent research and current topics in agro- and forest ecosystem sciences.
ContentResearch results in agro- and forest ecosystem sciences will be presented by experienced researchers as well as Ph.D. and graduate students. Citation classics as well as recent research results will be discussed. Topics will range from plant ecophysiology, biodiversity and biogeochemistry to management aspects in agro- and forest ecosystems.
Lecture notesnone
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisites: Basic knowledge of plant ecophysiology, terrestrial ecology and management of agro- and forest ecosystems. Course will be taught in English.
751-5101-00LBiogeochemistry and Sustainable Management Information 2 credits2GN. Buchmann, L. Hörtnagl
AbstractThis course focuses on the interactions between ecology, biogeochemistry and management of agro- and forest ecosystems, thus, coupled human-environmental systems. Students learn how human impacts on ecosystems via management or global change are mainly driven by effects on biogeochemical cycles and thus ecosystem functioning, but also about feedback mechanisms of terrestrial ecosystems.
ObjectiveStudents will know and understand the complex and interacting processes of ecology, biogeochemistry and management of agro- and forest ecosystems, be able to analyze and evaluate the various impacts of different management practices under different environmental conditions, search literature, write and evaluate scientific reports, and be able to coordinate and work successfully in small (interdisciplinary) teams.
ContentAgroecosystems and forest ecosystems play a major role in all landscapes, either for production purposes, ecological areas or for recreation. The human impact of any management on the environment is mainly driven by effects on biogeochemical cycles. Effects of global change impacts will also act via biogeochemistry at the soil-biosphere-atmosphere-interface. Thus, ecosystem functioning, i.e., the interactions between ecology, biogeochemistry and management of terrestrial systems, is the science topic for this course.

Students will gain profound knowledge about nutrient cycles and population dynamics in managed and unmanaged grassland, cropland and forest ecosystems in the field and in the lab. Responses of agro- and forest ecosystems to the environment, e.g., to climate, anthropogenic deposition, major disturbances, soil nutrients or competition of plants (including invasives) and microorganisms, but also feedback mechanisms of ecosystems on (micro)climate, soils or vegetation patterns will be studied. Different management practices will be investigated and assessed in terms of production and quality of yield (ecosystem goods and services), but also in regard to environmental regulations (including subsidies) and their effect on the environment, e.g., greenhouse gas budgets. Thus, students will learn about the complex interactions of a coupled human-environmental system.
Lecture notesHandouts will be available on the webpage of the course.
LiteratureWill be discussed in class.
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisites: Attendance of introductory courses in plant ecophysiology, ecology, and grassland or forest sciences. Course will be taught in English.
751-5125-00LStable Isotope Ecology of Terrestrial Ecosystems Information Restricted registration - show details 2 credits2GR. A. Werner, N. Buchmann, A. Gessler
AbstractThis course provides an overview about the applicability of stable isotopes (carbon 13C, nitrogen 15N, oxygen 18O and water 2H) to process-oriented ecological research. Topics focus on stable isotopes as indicators for the origin of pools and fluxes, partitioning of composite fluxes as well as to trace and integrate processes. In addition, students carry out a small project during lab sessions.
ObjectiveStudents will be familiar with basic and advanced applications of stable isotopes in studies on plants, soils, water and trace gases, know the relevant approaches, concepts and recent results in stable isotope ecology, know how to combine classical and modern techniques to solve ecophysiological or ecological problems, learn to design, carry out and interpret a small IsoProject, practice to search and analyze literature as well as to give an oral presentation.
ContentThe analyses of stable isotopes often provide insights into ecophysiological and ecological processes that otherwise would not be available with classical methods only. Stable isotopes proved useful to determine origin of pools and fluxes in ecosystems, to partition composite fluxes and to integrate processes spatially and temporally.

This course will provide an introduction to the applicability of stable isotopes to ecological research questions. Topics will focus on carbon (13C), nitrogen (15N), oxygen (18O) and hydrogen (2H) at natural isotope abundance and tracer levels. Lectures will be supplemented by intensive laboratory sessions, short presentations by students and computer exercises.
Lecture notesHandouts will be available on the webpage of the course.
LiteratureWill be discussed in class.
Prerequisites / NoticeThis course is based on fundamental knowledge about plant ecophysiology, soil science, and ecology in general. Course will be taught in English.