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GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM PRESSURES AND SUSTAINABILITY

Module code: GY317
Credits: 5
Semester: 2
Quota: 140
Department: GEOGRAPHY
International:
Coordinator: Dr Helen Shaw (GEOGRAPHY)

	Overview
	Growing pressures on the natural environment through intensification of human land use may compromise ecosystem functions that are central to both the human and the natural world. According to the UN commissioned Millennium Ecosystem Assessment report published in 2004, 60% of ecosystem services were degraded or used unsustainably. More recent State of the Environment reports show continuing threats to ecosystems. This module examines rising ecosystem pressures focusing particularly on intensification of anthropogenic land use and projected demands in future output. It explores effects of these pressures on ecosystems. Questions asked include: What changes can these 'stressors' cause in wild population structure and biodiversity, and how might they ultimately affect such ecosystem services like water purification, food production, biological pest control, pollination, soil conservation and carbon sequestration? We end by examining case studies and examples of better management of ecosystems for a sustainable future.

Overview

Growing pressures on the natural environment through intensification of human land use may compromise ecosystem functions that are central to both the human and the natural world. According to the UN commissioned Millennium Ecosystem Assessment report published in 2004, 60% of ecosystem services were degraded or used unsustainably. More recent State of the Environment reports show continuing threats to ecosystems. This module examines rising ecosystem pressures focusing particularly on intensification of anthropogenic land use and projected demands in future output. It explores effects of these pressures on ecosystems. Questions asked include: What changes can these 'stressors' cause in wild population structure and biodiversity, and how might they ultimately affect such ecosystem services like water purification, food production, biological pest control, pollination, soil conservation and carbon sequestration? We end by examining case studies and examples of better management of ecosystems for a sustainable future.

	Learning Outcomes
	On successful completion of the module, students should be able to: Describe historic land-use intensification and understand the likely future demands on natural resources and outline the pressures on ecosystems and ecosystem functions arising from anthropogenic land use. Explain anthropogenic influences on a range of natural ecosystems, habitats and biodiversity, including direct and indirect drivers and impacts. Connect the changes in specific environmental stressors with modification of wild population structure and biodiversity, and express how these stressors might ultimately affect ecosystem services such as food production, biological pest control, pollination, soil conservation, water purification, and carbon sequestration. Assess and debate the potential for sustainable ecosystem management.

Learning Outcomes

Teaching & Learning methods

Assessment

	Autumn Supplementals/Resits
	Are supplemental/resit registrations permitted? Yes Students may opt to do supplemental continuous assessment over the summer for part of the CA marks only (details will normally be posted on the GY317 Moodle page, but students should also contact the lecturer). The Open Book exam component (50%) and a major CA component report (20%) may be repeated in Autumn (Students will have to surrender any continuous assessment marks earned for this piece over the regular lecturing year if they opt to repeat this CA component). 30% of the module relates to in-class exercises that cannot be repeated in Autumn, continuous assessment marks for these will be carried forward to the autumn, without scope for improvement. Only those students who have officially registered to repeat/resit their module in the autumn will be allowed to submit supplemental continuous assessment. Is Supplemental Continuous Assessment registration permitted? Yes Is Supplemental Continuous Assessment capped? No

Autumn Supplementals/Resits

Timetable

Courses / Module

GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM PRESSURES AND SUSTAINABILITY

Semester 1

Semester 2