BIOS 3013 Ecosystem Carbon Accounting
Legacy Code 300856
Coordinator Matthias Boer Opens in new window
Student Contribution Band
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Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Describe the key components of the global carbon cycle, particular natural and anthropogenic CO2 emissions, CO2 uptake and release of managed and natural ecosystems, storage of carbon in the oceans and on land.
- Describe and critique the measurement techniques available for measurements of carbon stocks in managed and natural ecosystems.
- Describe sources of measurement error, spatial and temporal variability, and report uncertainty of estimates using confidence intervals.
- Apply appropriate techniques to quantify carbon stocks of managed and natural ecosystems, with critical evaluation of the limitations of the methods.
- Use the full carbon accounting model (FullCAM) to estimate pools and fluxes of carbon in forest ecosystems, and evaluate effects of alternative management strategies and environmental variation.
- Describe and quantify the carbon storage in forestry products over their expected lifetime.
- Communicate results of enquiry using a range of formats and media.
Subject Content
Components of the global carbon cycle: pools and fluxes
Ecosystem carbon balance: processes and measurement
Measurement of carbon storage: field methods, measurement error and sampling variability
Quantifying carbon storage: carbon sequestration in vegetation and soils
Ecosystem-level models for greenhouse gas accounting (Full Carbon Accounting Model, FullCAM)
Trade-offs between carbon sequestration and the water cycle: plantation water use, groundwater and salinity
Understanding carbon footprint, and the impact of substituting wood products for fossil fuels
Carbon accounting in an international context : important international treaties and initiatives (Kyoto, carbon trading, REDD), and the varying role of forestry plantations
Comparing greenhouse gas emissions with offsets created by forest plantations
Assessment
The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.
| Type | Length | Percent | Threshold | Individual/Group Task | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific Report: Carbon sequestration of trees | 1,500 words | 20 | N | Individual | |
| Scientific Report: Carbon emission and sequestration | 1,500 words | 20 | N | Individual | |
| Life cycle analysis: Slide presentation (10%, group mark); Talk (10%, individual mark) | Slides: 20 - 30 slides; Talk: 5 - 8 mins | 20 | N | Individual | |
| Final examination: Short answer and essay questions | 2 hours | 40 | N | Individual |