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Carbon and Nutrient Cycling under Global Change
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:37:11
Abstract
The course covers the pools and fluxes of carbon and nutrients across various types of ecosystems and landscapes and how they are affected by 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 soil properties as controls; and (iii) the effects of climate change and land management.
Objective
The participants learn to identify, analyze and propose solutions for problems and research questions associated with land management and climate change effects on carbon and nutrient cycling in various ecosystems and landscapes. A variety of experimental data will be presented from stemming from ongoing research projects of the involved lecturers. Analyses of this data encompasses a range of statistical approaches which are widely used in environmental research.
Content
After short thematic introductions, the participants will work in small groups on the following topics: Part 1 Pools and fluxes of carbon and nutrients in terrestrial ecosystems across Switzerland o Carbon and nutrient cycles from the plot to national scale o Impacts of land use change on biomass and soil carbon o Effects of soil warming and drought on biogeochemical cycles Part 2: Tropical land use change: Geomorphic cascades, soil degradation, 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 Patterns and consequences of disturbance for soil landscapes in the fast changing African Tropics 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 participants 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
Literature
Biogeochemistry - An Analysis of Global Change https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780123858740/biogeochemistry
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
- 05.03.2024
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Carbon and Nutrient Cycling under Global Change |
|
3 h weekly |