GEOG 511
Spring 2014
Hydrology and Global Environmental Change
Instructor:
Dr. Allen Hope
Office:
SH 303C
Office Hours:
Tuesday and Wednesday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
(and by appointment – hope1@mail.sdsu.edu)
Text:
Hydrology and Global Environmental Change (Nigel Arnell)
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The course is designed to develop an understanding of hydrologic processes at
the surface of the Earth so that we can examine how environmental change,
such as land use/cover change or climate change, affects hydrology. Concepts
from physics, statistics, mathematics and some chemistry will be used to develop
this scientific understanding. Processes operating at different spatial and
temporal scales will be examined. I will emphasize the understanding of
concepts and will use exercises to reinforce key theoretical concepts covered in
class. Data analysis and scientific experimentation will be an integral part of the
course.
EVALUATION PROCEDURES & GRADING:
The exams will contain questions requiring answers in written paragraph format.
You should be prepared to apply the concepts you learn in class to problems. It
is your responsibility to provide answers that are clear and respond directly to the
questions.
1. All written exercises are to be typed.
2. Exercises turned in late will be penalized 10% per day. No grade will be given
after 3 days.
3. You are required to work independently on class exercises.
4. No make-up exams (unless absence supported by documentation).
5. Graded exams will be reviewed in class. This is the only time to review your
graded exam.
Exam dates (dates may change)
EXAM 1:
EXAM 2:
EXAM 3:
Grade:
02/20/14
03/27/14
05/08/14
05/15/14
08:00 AM
Exams
Exercises/Quizzes
[20%]
[30%]
[35%]
[graded exams returned]
85%
15%
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COURSE OUTLINE
Water as a substance and basic concepts
This section outlines key physical properties of water that affect hydrologic
processes. Fundamental laws and relationships are presented that are essential
for understanding concepts later in the course. Material from this section can be
retested throughout the semester in exams.
1) Hydrology, earth system science and global environmental change
The basic science of hydrology is introduced in this section and placed in the
context of a changing Earth system.
2) Components of the water balance
This large section deals with the major processes involved in the hydrologic cycle
(i.e., basic hydrologic training to engage in the study of environmental change
and its consequences for hydrology). Techniques for applied hydrology are also
covered in this section.
Precipitation
Interception
Evaporation and transpiration
Soil moisture (and some ground water)
Runoff generation and streamflow
3) Patterns of hydrologic behaviour
Since the ultimate goal of this course is to examine how environmental change
will impact hydrologic systems, especially river flow, it is important to understand
how river flow characteristics vary in time and space.
Indicators of hydrologic behaviour
Variations over space
Variations in flood characteristics
Variations in low flow characteristics
Variations over time
Drivers of change
Hydrological extremes
4) Change in the catchment
This section deals with specific changes in catchment cover characteristics, such
as deforestation, urbanization etc. The techniques for evaluating the changes in
river flow in response to these changes are covered.
Detecting and estimating the effects of change
Land cover change
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5) Changes to the inputs to catchments: global warming
Global warming is expected to alter rainfall evaporation patterns around the
World and also lead to changes in vegetation cover. These potential changes
are likely to alter river flow characteristics and this section addresses these
potential changes in catchment inputs, condition and river flows.
6) Case studies
a) California – the effects if fires on river flow.
b) South Africa – the effect of invasive exotic plant species on river flow in
the Western Cape region.
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GEOG 511
Spring 2014
RESPONSIBILITIES & RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Take responsibility for your own success or failure to achieve the desired
outcome in this course.
2. Ask questions in class and be sure that you understand the concepts. Attempt
to answer questions in class; you may see them again sometime. This also
helps me to identify material that is not clear. Material is reviewed at the start of
every class and not in a “review session”.
3. To be able to do 1 & 2, you need to attend every class.
4. Read the text sections before the associated lecture.
5. Prepare for exams well in advance. I generally use paragraph-type questions
that focus on your understanding and ability to apply information.
6. Use my office hours/appointment throughout the semester to get clarification
or material re-explained.
7. Take good notes in class; material will come from a variety of sources.
8. Exercises are intended to develop your ability to solve problems. I will help,
but not solve the problems for you.
9. If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations
for this class, it is your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at
(619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you
should contact Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that
accommodations are not retroactive, and that I cannot provide accommodations
based upon disability until I have received an accommodation letter from Student
Disability Services.
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GROUND RULES
These are intended to ensure a professional and courteous environment for
everyone in the class:
1. No eating or drinking (water OK) in class and no electronic devices.
2. Class starts promptly at 9:30 AM and since entering the classroom after the
class has started is disruptive, please do not enter the classroom after 9:30 AM.
Your continued enrolment in the class is contingent upon adhering to this
requirement.
3. You are responsible for letting me know if material is not clear and needs to be
re-explained.
(NOTE: 1 and 2 constitute disruptive behavior).
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