Environmental Systems II

Abstract

The lecture provides a science-based exploration of three important environmental systems: Inland waters, forest, and of food systems.

Objective

The students are able to explain important functions of the three environmental systems, to discuss critical drivers, trends and conflicts of their use and to compare potential solutions.

Content

Part I: Water systems. Overview of different water systems: (1) Water cycle and flowing waters, (2) Standing surface waters (oceans, seas, lakes), (3) Water reservoirs (snow and glaciers, groundwater), (4) Water quality (physical, chemical, biological), (5) Water systems under change (climate change, conflicts of use). Specific topics: Water bodies as ecosystems, water use and its impacts, threats to and protection of water quality, water & health, water technologies, water & energy Part II: Forest systems. Forests and agroforest systems, trends and drivers of land use changes, sustainable forest management. Part III: Human systems. The main functions, trends and challenges of agricultural and food systems are discussed based on the four dimensions of food security (availability, access, utilization of food and stability of the food systems).

Resources