ESM 240 Climate Change Biology
2015
Course Description
This course explores the response of nature to climate change. From species' range shifts
to changes in ecosystems, climate change is altering natural systems across the planet.
The biology of these changes is becoming increasingly well understood, from present
observations to models of future change. This course examines these biological changes
in response to climate, causes, emerging conservation responses and policy response.
Climate Change Biology Syllabus
Textbook: Climate Change Biology (Elsevier)2e (SECOND EDITION – FROG COVER)
Week 1
Introduction/Overview/Climate Change Science
Chapters 1, 2
Present Changes – distributions and phenology
Chapters 3,4,5
Week 2
Lessons from the Past – deep time
Chapter 9
Lessons from the Past – near time
Chapters 6-8
Week 3
Understanding Future Change – GCM and biotic modeling techniques
Chapter 11
Understanding Future Change – Terrestrial Systems
Chapters 10, 13
Week 4
Conservation Implications – extinction risk and protected areas
Chapters 14, 15
Conservation Implications – conservation planning, managed relocation, ex-situ rescue
Chapters 16
Week 5
Policy Responses – mitigation, REDD, biodiversity and REDD
Chapters 17, 18, 20
Policy Responses – IUCN climate red list, extinction estimates