LFYF10037U Climate, Weather and Plants

Volume 2013/2014
Education
BSc Programme in Natural Resources
BSc Programme in Geography
BSc Programme in Physics
MSc Programme in Agriculture
Content
The course comprises the following three general themes: A) Basic principles of the boundary layer physical and climatic elements B) Applied principles and methods within plant science C) Specific applied methods relevant in agricultural, horticultural, forest and landscape relations.

A. Basic: Micro, local and meso climatic elements, Energy balances, Radiation geometry, Atmospheric properties, Wind/heat/humidity transport mechanisms, Boundary layer transport, Shelter effects, Evapotranspiration, Climates of simple non-vegetated and non-uniform surfaces, Global climate, Climate classification, Air pollution and the boundary layer, Climate change and the environmental impact.

B. Applied, general: Climates of vegetated surfaces, Forest climate and hydrology, Intentionally modified climates, Glasshouse climate, Inadvertent climate modification, Urban climate, Crop and local weather, soil-plant-atmosphere modelling, Atmospheric deposition and dispersion in the boundary layer.

C. Applied, specific: Climate stations, Climate and orchards, Climate modification by outdoor growing, Climate management in greenhouses, Climate and forestry, Climate change and tree growing.
Learning Outcome
The objective is that the student be able to estimate the local climate and its dependence on terrain conditions together with both its influence and dependence on the vegetation. The aim is further to provide a fundamental physical knowledge making it possible to work professionally within areas such as climate management and atmospheric environment.

After completing the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge:
-Describe the basic climatic components like temperature, humidity, precipitation and wind
-Identify the physical processes in relation to climate and weather e.g. the air-, heat- and water vapour transport mechanisms
-Describe and identify the different surface- and boundary layer characteristics e.g. vegetation, topography and soil condition
-Classify and identify the micro-, local-, meso- and global climatic elements

Skills:
-Apply the concepts and formulae covered by the course to do simple calculations.
-Analyse the intentionally modified climates such as surface control, frost protection, shelter effects and greenhouse climates
-Apply the basic knowledge to assess inadvertent climate modification such as forest- and urban climate

Competences:
-Manage more complex plant production and silvicultural problems by combination of basic and applied principles and elements
-Apply climatological principles and methods from more extensive and specific climate/plant related courses within agricultural, horticultural and silvicultural science
-Evaluate and discuss causes and effects in relation to air pollution and climate change


Literature
T.R. Oke: Boundary Layer Climates; Routledge, 2 edition 1988
Elementary skills in mathematics. Acquaintence with sine, cosine, square root, exponential and logarithm.
The fundamental topics related to the course content parts A, B and C are covered by lectures, including guest lectures. Small experimental demonstrations in relation to the physical methods and the biological topics are provided. Theoretical excersises 2-4 hours per week(varying). Practical exercises approximately 8 hours in all. A miniproject (duration 1 week) will be included at the end of the course.
Joint BSc and MSc level, earliest possible year BSc 2. year to MSc. 2. year. More information: http:/​/​igm.fys.ku.dk/​~lho/​kurser/​CWP/​index.php”
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 4
  • Exam
  • 4
  • Excursions
  • 8
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Practical exercises
  • 8
  • Preparation
  • 118
  • Theory exercises
  • 22
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 4 hours under invigilation
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Exam registration requirements
A final mini project report must be approved
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Exam period
Several internal examiners
Criteria for exam assesment
The exam questions test the students ability to apply the concepts and formulae covered by the course.