Content
Topic Introduction
The health and productivity of forest ecosystems are critical for all of their inhabitants and human, as well as for the overall health of the planet. In this lecture, we will introduce the definition, classification, and functions of forest ecosystems. We will focus on the potential impacts of climate change on various aspects of forest ecosystems, including productivity, biodiversity, services, and vulnerability to biotic and abiotic stresses. The role of forest ecosystems in the mitigation of climate change will also be covered.
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
- Define a forest ecosystem and a biome;
- Explain the principles in forest ecosystem classifications;
- Distinguish the differences between the short-term and the long-term impacts of climate change on the growth and productivity of forest ecosystems;
- Describe the potential impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems in terms of biodiversity, vulnerability to stresses and functions;
- Describe the roles of forest ecosystems in mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
Topic Readings
Required Readings
Optional Readings
- Parmesan, C., Yohe, G., 2003. A globally coherent fingerprint of climate change impacts across natural systems. Nature 421, 37–42.
Self Check (For certificate learning only)
After reading for this topic, take 5 minutes to take an online self-check quiz for the topic. The main purpose of the quiz is for you to self-check how well you grasp the contents for this topic. It will cover contents of the lecture(s) for the topic. Five attempts are allowed and highest mark will be saved to show your achievement.
When you are ready, click the link Self-check Quiz 1.2 to start taking the quiz.
Activities & Assignments (For certificate learning only)
Online Discussions
Online discussions are much like face-to-face discussions. Students are required preparation and active participation in order to the learning objectives. The online discussion will be asynchronous (i.e., students can participate at different times) and will be closed at the end of the week. This discussion accounts for 2 marks graded based on participation and quality of the posts. Each student is required to have at least one post. Everyone is encouraged to rate each post. The first post account for 70%, the second one for 20% and third one for 10% of the participation, respectively. The first post with at least five sentences is considered as the “first post”. A simply “Yes or No” post is not considered as a post. The quality is graded by both Instructor (50%) and peer rating (50%).
Discussion Topics:
- The functions of forest ecosystems
- Potential of forest ecosystems to mitigate climate change.
To participate in the discussion, please go to Online Discussion 1.2 class forum.
Graded Assignments
Module 1 Test
Module 1 Test Due at 23:59pm on Day 7 of this week (PST). See Course Schedule for specific due date.
Topic Summary
In this lecture, we introduced the definition of forest ecosystems, biomes, and their classifications. Climate change may impose the most important threat to forest ecosystems and their functions. A warming temperature and elevated CO2 concentration may improve the growth and productivity of the forest ecosystems in the short-term. However, in the long run, climatic mismatches may impact the adaptation of plant species and compromise the functions and services of forest ecosystems.
Topic Self-review (For self learning)
Please use the reflection questions below as study guide to conduct self-review for the topic:
- What is the difference between a biome and a forest ecosystem?
- What is the difference in recognition of the functions of forests in the past and now?
- What are the impacts of climate change on forest growth and health?
- What are the impacts of climate change on the services of forest ecosystems?
- Why can we use forests to mitigate climate change?
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