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Carbon and Nutrient Cycling in a Changing Climate and Land-Use
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:53:08
Abstract
The course covers the pools and fluxes of carbon and nutrients in forests and dynamic landscapes and how they are affected by a changing climate and land-use. Specifically, the course explores carbon and nutrient cycling: (i) in vegetation and soils at the plot to global scale; (ii) the role of abiotic soil properties as controls; and (iii) the effects of climate changes and land management.
Objective
The students learn to identify, analyze and propose solutions for problems associated with land management and climate change on carbon and nutrient cycling in forests and dynamic landscapes.
Content
After short thematic introductions, the students will work in small groups on the following topics: Part 1 Carbon and nutrient pools and fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems of Switzerland o Carbon and nutrient cycles from the plot to national scale o Impacts of land use changes on biomass and soil carbon o Effects of soil warming and drought Part 2: Rock, soil, sediment: Geomorphic cascades and soil weathering o Weathering and geochemistry as controls on carbon and nutrient cycles o Feedbacks between soil development, soil transport and soil loss for carbon cycling o Global patterns and consequences of disturbance for soil landscapes Part 3: Global biogeochemical cycles and climate change o Global biogeochemical cycles and impacts on climate o Carbon cycle feedbacks to climate change o Changes in global nutrient balance The students will work on specific projects which includes the evaluation and interpretation of data as well as the preparation of a presentation either as a poster, report or a talk.
Resources
Learning Materials (Links)
- Main link
- Link to seminar
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 25
- Signup End
- 09.03.2021
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Carbon and Nutrient Cycling in a Changing Climate and Land-Use |
|
3 h weekly |