Overview

This module will provide a comprehensive understanding of the ecological impacts generated by human activities, and will establish the fundamental skills to identify, assess and diagnose environmental problems derived from global change.

Introduction to global change • The importance and magnitude of human actions on the Biosphere. The Anthropocene. The Biodiversity crisis.

Main drivers of global change and their ecological impacts • Land use changes and effects on population dynamics and biodiversity • Greenhouse emissions and climate change. Species range shifts and phenological changes. Impacts on biodiversity. • Overexploitation of natural resources. Water. Overfishing. • Pollution. Emergent contaminants. Pollution impacts on species and ecosystems. • Biological invasions. • Effects of local extinctions and species introductions on food webs. • Synergistic impacts of multiple drivers of global change.

Mitigation and adaptation to global change on the biotas • Mechanisms of resilience of species and ecosystems. Functional redundancy. Natural carbon sinks. Tipping points. • Human actions.

Assessment Strategy

Excellent (Grade A: mark range 70% – 100%) An excellent student should show a nuanced and critical understanding of the latest advances in ecology and ecosystem function, drawing on extensive factual knowledge of the historical context and the most recent advances in these subjects. Written work should demonstrate an ability to synthesise and interpret data from the primary literature and construct original interpretations. Presentations should promote engaged and insightful discussion that spans both the specific findings of studies and their broader implications for global issues in biodiversity conservation and landscape management. In all aspects of their work students should be able to use their knowledge and understanding of issues to identify weaknesses in current theory and propose solutions to address major gaps in current knowledge. An excellent student should have a high level of detailed factual knowledge across all aspects of the module and be able to detail examples and case studies where appropriate. Written work should demonstrate an ability to think critically about the subject and to synthesise lecture material and information from extensive background reading in support of detailed, highly developed arguments.

Good (Grade B: mark range 60% – 69%) A good student should have thorough factual knowledge across all aspects of the module and be able to cite examples and case studies where appropriate. Written work should demonstrate an ability to think about the subject and to synthesise lecture material and some information from background reading into coherent arguments. A good student should be able to describe the significance of current debates in ecology and ecosystem function by showing an in-depth knowledge of both the historical context and the most recent advances in the fields. Written work should demonstrate an ability to synthesise and interpret data from the primary literature in a structured and logical manner, and all assessments should demonstrate advanced capacity to organise acquired knowledge.

Threshold (Grade C: mark range 50% – 59%) A threshold student should have knowledge of the essential facts and key concepts presented in the module. Written work should demonstrate an ability to synthesise and interpret data from the primary literature in a structured and logical manner, and all assessments should demonstrate the general capacity to organise acquired knowledge. Presentations should both elucidate important background concepts and promote original discussion of unfolding issues.

Learning Outcomes

• To be aware of the urgency of human actions for mitigation and adaptation strategies.

• To identify the main components of global change affecting organisms, communities, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and ecosystem services.

• To recognize both the resilience potential of species and ecosystems as well as the existence of tipping points leading to irreversible impacts

• To recognize global change as the most critical challenge affecting human wellbeing.

• To understand the complexity of the ecological impacts generated by human activities.