GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY Single channel

Chair (Coordinator) and Rapporteur: MORENO DI MARCO

Lecturers

Objectives

To provide basic knowledge on the biological implications of global change, from a macroecological perspective, a conservation perspective, and a sustainability perspective. To understand the effects of global change on biodiversity, and the links between environmental change, biodiversity loss, and risks to humanity. To interpret global change under a multi-scale lens, both temporally (past to future) and spatially (local to global).

Learning outcomes

The student acquires basic and applied knowledge on the biological implications of global change. The student acquires the ability to interpret anthropogenic pressures on a global scale under a macroecological, conservation and sustainability key.
The student is able to evaluate the political and social solutions to the problems of global change, proposed both at a national and international level.
The student learns to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the main international environmental policies.
The student learns to use scientific evidence to support their opinions.
The student is able to read and understand a scientific text and summarise its contents. The student is able to follow a scientific seminar, understanding the main messages, and is able to formulate critical and relevant questions about the contents.

Prerequisites

The Global Change Biology course is a course for Master's degree students. There are two prerequisites to access the course: 1) having obtained at least 6 ECTS in Ecology courses (one or more courses) during the three-year degree, 2) having a knowledge of the English language of at least CEFR B2 “independent user” level.

Programme

To provide basic knowledge on the biological implications of global change, from a macroecological perspective, a conservation perspective, and a sustainability perspective. To understand the effects of global change on biodiversity, and the links between environmental change, biodiversity loss, and risks to humanity. To interpret global change under a multi-scale lens, both temporally (past to future) and spatially (local to global).

Books

Erica Bree Rosenblum (2021) Global Change Biology 1st ed. Oxford University Press

Bibliography

Lee Hannah 2021. Climate change biology. Academic Press
Thomas E. Lovejoy & Lee Hannah. 2005. Climate change and Biodiversity. Yale University Press
Bibliographic material (papers and reports) will also be provided during the course.

Lessons mode

Lectures and seminars

Frequency

Students can attend the lectures in presence.

Exam mode

- seminars presentations + written examination (attending students)
- written examination (non-attending students)

Example exam questions

What are the consequences of land use change on biodiversity?

Arguments

    • Books: Erica Bree Rosenblum (2021) Global Change Biology 1st ed. Oxford University Press 

    • Books: Lee Hannah 2021. Climate change biology. Academic Press.

Sustainability goals

  • Goal12
  • Goal13
  • Goal15
  • Academic year2026/2027
  • Degree program to which the course belongsSciences and Teaching of Natural Systems
  • Lesson code10627274
  • Year and semester1st year - 2nd semester
  • Activity typeAttività formative caratterizzanti
  • Academic areaDiscipline biologiche
  • SSDBIOS-03/A
  • Mandatory presenceNo
  • LanguageENG
  • CFU6 CFU
  • Total duration52 hours
  • Hours distribution40 classroom hours, 12 training hours