290501 VO Ecosystem Functions and Processes (2025W)

The course focuses on wetland ecosystem functions and processes.
Wetlands are highly dynamic transition zones between the surrounding aquatic (surface and/or groundwater) and terrestrial environment. Despite covering only ~6% of the Earth’s surface, wetlands play a disproportionate role in global biogeochemical cycling, regulating water flows, and carbon, nutrient and pollutant concentrations to downstream environments, in addition to supporting exceptionally dense and diverse plant, animal and bacterial communities. Their dynamic hydrological, biogeochemical and ecological properties offer a unique opportunity to understand ecosystem processes that cannot be captured by examining terrestrial or aquatic environments alone.

- Knowledge Goals

Course participants will gain an understanding and appreciation for the biotic and abiotic properties of wetlands, the fundamental processes that govern wetland ecosystems, the drivers of ecosystem change, including the influence of natural and anthropogenic change on wetland ecosystem processes and functions.

By integrating theory and case studies, students will:
i) Develop a conceptual and mechanistic understanding of energy flow, nutrient cycling, biodiversity, and ecosystem dynamics.
ii) Explore the interconnections between ecosystems and global environmental change, including climate impacts, land-use change, and ecosystem services.
iii) Critically evaluate conservation, restoration, and management strategies in the context of sustaining ecosystem functions.

- Course Contents

The course is organized into 12 teaching sessions (1.5 hours each), each combining lectures, prescribed reading (before class) and in-class discussions.

- Teaching Methods

The course combines theoretical instruction, covering the key concepts of ecosystem functions and processes with supplementary reading providing in-depth case studies and further detailed information. Lecture slides will be uploaded to Moodle at the end of each class. Further information and explanation of lecture topics will be provided in-class and as part of assigned reading material.