Course Overview
Understanding how climate change impacts ecosystems as well as techniques that increase the ability of ecosystems to withstand these impacts are essential to a successful career in natural resource management. This course begins by developing an understanding of the key processes that influence local weather versus climate patterns, as well as an understanding of climate feedback processes. The course will clarify the relative contributions of different human activities to recent and ongoing climate change, as well as explore the diverse impacts of this climate change on ecosystems. Relying heavily on case studies, this class will develop the student's ability to understand and critique common techniques used to increase the ability of ecosystems to withstand projected climate-related stressors. The course also explores key government regulations used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) as well as to mitigate the impacts of human-caused climate change on ecosystems. Course content will focus especially on climate topics that are relevant to southwestern British Columbia.
Prerequisite(s)
- Acceptance into the Ecological Restoration degree program or by departmental approval.
Credits
3.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Differentiate between weather and climate.
- Assess key atmospheric cycles that impact global weather and climate patterns (e.g., Walker Cycle, El Nino, La Nina, Pacific Decadal Oscillation).
- Discuss key climate feedback loops and how they can increase/decrease the severity of climate change.
- Describe the relative contributions of different human activities to climate change.
- Classify the ecological stressors that are introduced to natural systems as a result of human-caused climate change.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of techniques that increase the ability of ecosystems to withstand projected climate-related stressors. Techniques include watershed restoration, riparian areas management, wetland creation, and agricultural practices that enhance conservation and quality of water and soils.
- Critique provincial and federal governmental regulations used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and to mitigate the impacts of human-caused climate change on ecosystems.
Effective as of Winter 2023
Related Programs
Climate and Climate Change Impact (RENR 7200) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Construction and the Environment
- Ecological Restoration
Bachelor of Science Full-time/Part-time
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.