Biogeomorphology
Beschrijving
Course goals
After this course, the student is able to
- Apply conceptual models for interactions between species and geomorphic processes (called biogeomorphic feedbacks) for ecosystem functioning and landscape development from the mountains to the sea.
- Analyse a system including biogeomorphic feedbacks.
- Identify and quantify properties of patterns formed by biogeomorphic feedbacks.
- Quantify and statistically test relations between species properties (called traits) and hydrodynamic and geomorphic processes and landforms.
- Assess the likely effectiveness of applications that employ natural processes for human benefits such as flood protection (called nature-based solutions).
Content
Nearly all continental surface of the planet shows interactions between geomorphic processes and biota, called biogeomorphic interactions. These interactions are often so strong that patterns and landforms emerge that otherwise would not form (such as on planet Mars). This course covers key concepts from ecology and biogeomorphology that allow analysis of all environments from the mountains to the sea. This is not only useful for geomorphology and ecology, but also for application in societal settings where ‘nature’ can be restored to increase protection against floods, debris flows and such.
This course will both provide an overview on biogeomorphic interactions and analyse three typical environments from the mountains to the sea in depth, for example vegetated high mountain slopes, rivers and dunes or tidal flats. All systems will be studied to determine the roles of physical boundary conditions and geomorphic processes, different plant species and their interactions with the landscapes, and applications with societal relevance in all these environments. The reading and lecture materials will be applied in practicals, small projects and excursions.
Key concepts to be explored include ecological concepts related to species and their functioning in a landscape (functional traits, trade-offs) and their potential to improve their own environment (ecosystem engineering), and the development of the entire living landscape (succession, geomorphic and ecologic pattern formation).
The contents of this course are complementary and well-connected to the other three courses in period 3 of the Earth Surface direction. The subjects covered in this course open up a large number of bachelor thesis topics.
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