FOR 360: Forest Ecosystems, Carbon and Climate Change

Course Code: FOR 360

Course Description

This class introduces students from many majors and disciplines to forest ecosystems, with a focus on policy and science of climate change. We shall take a special interest in examining the role forest ecosystems play in the global climate system through emissions and sequestration of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide. Forest and other treed ecosystems cover most of the natural landscapes of the planet, from dry savannas to rainforests. They are an important natural resource and directly support the livelihoods of more than 1.6 billion people. They are also valuable for their ecosystem services that regulate the climate, maintain biodiversity, supply food and fiber, provide important feedstocks and materials, keep water quality high, support cultural amenities and more.

Since 2015 forests have been highlighted as a significant component of climate change mitigation and adaptation policies and strategies. Hence, the focus of this course will be on international aspects of forests, the services they provide, and their influence on global-scale environmental issues. We will explore how society’s use of forest ecosystems can be both detrimental and beneficial. We shall also look at agroforestry systems and other systems of Trees Outside of Forests in agriculture because of their importance to economic development and linkages to issues such as poverty alleviation. We will focus on the basic underlying science and the relevant policy and economic aspects. The course covers the basic science of climate change as well as the emerging policy response including the international convention on climate change. In addition, the course introduces students to carbon markets, carbon finance and economics, and to concepts of environment and development.

Learning Objectives

This course is intended for both majors in Forestry and non-majors. Learners from across the university are welcome and the content is suitable for a range of students. There is some emphasis on conveying scientific methods and concepts, but the main aim is to expose all learners to the approach that science takes to describing, assessing, and understanding the world. The course also exposes all learners to interdisciplinary concepts, which includes the social sciences as well as biological/physical sciences.

The overall objective of this course is to provide learners with a fundamental understanding of human-cause climate change and the important role of forests and natural resources.

By the end of the course learners will be knowledgeable and literate about:

The current status of global climate change, as well as its most likely future directions and impacts, and why this is important for you to know.
How the climate system works in general terms, and how it can change naturally and by human actions.
The important interactions between forests and the atmosphere, including effects of forests and forest disturbances such as deforestation on climate change through greenhouse gases and the global carbon cycle.
The lines of empirical evidence for human caused climate change, and the factual scientific basis for understanding the causes and potential impacts.
What science knows well about climate change and where the uncertainties are.
The international policy frameworks and agreements that are relevant to forests and climate change.
The range of possible solutions and policies that can be implemented, in technical, economic, and social dimensions.