751-5101-00L  Biogeochemistry and Sustainable Management

SemesterAutumn Semester 2016
LecturersN. Buchmann, L. Hörtnagl
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish



Courses

NumberTitleHoursLecturers
751-5101-00 GBiogeochemistry and Sustainable Management2 hrs
Mon10:15-12:00LFW C 1 »
N. Buchmann, L. Hörtnagl

Catalogue data

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.

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits2 credits
ExaminersN. Buchmann, L. Hörtnagl
Typegraded semester performance
Language of examinationEnglish
RepetitionRepetition only possible after re-enrolling for the course unit.
Additional information on mode of examination- active participation in class
- report (in English) about a selected topic/problem/case study as iterative process (outline, feedback, first draft, review, final version) during the semester

Learning materials

 
Main linkInfos for the course "Biogeochemistry and Sustainable Management"
Only public learning materials are listed.

Groups

No information on groups available.

Restrictions

There are no additional restrictions for the registration.

Offered in

ProgrammeSectionType
Agroecosystem Sciences MasterAgriculture and EnvironmentWInformation
Agroecosystem Sciences MasterFunctioning of Soil SystemsWInformation
Agroecosystem Sciences MasterEnvironmental Crop PhysiologyW+Information
Agroecosystem Sciences MasterAgriculture and EnvironmentW+Information
Agroecosystem Sciences MasterAgriculture and EnvironmentW+Information
Agroecosystem Sciences MasterGeneral Crop ScienceWInformation
Agroecosystem Sciences MasterFunctioning of Soil SystemsW+Information
Agroecosystem Sciences MasterGeneral Crop ScienceW+Information
Environmental Sciences MasterAdvanced Concept ClassesWInformation
Environmental Sciences MasterMinor in Soil-Plant Relations and Land UseWInformation