NFYB14001U CHANGED: Climate, Weather and Plants

Volume 2018/2019
Education

MSc Programme in Environmental Science

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

See Absalon for final course material. The following is an example of expected course literature.

 

T.R. Oke: Boundary Layer Climates; Routledge, 2 edition 1988 and lecture notes.

CHANGED FOR THE STUDY YEAR 2018-29: SELF STUDY

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.
  • 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
CHANGED FOR THE STUDY YEAR 2018-29: WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
Exam registration requirements

A final mini project report and presentation must be approved

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Re-exam

Same as ordinary exam.

If 10 or fewer persons sign up for the re-exam it will be held as a 30-minute oral exam with 30 minutes of preparation time with all aids except computers. If the final project report was not approved during the course, the student should contact the teacher well in advance in order to arrange a new report and presentation, so these can be approved no later than two weeks before the re-exam.

Criteria for exam assesment

see learning outcome