220003 Climate, Weather and Plants

Details
Department of Basic Science and Environment   67 %
Department of Agriculture and Ecology   33 %
Earliest Possible YearBSc. 2 year to MSc. 2 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits7.5 (ECTS)
Course LevelJoint BSc and MSc
Of relevance to all levels and studies.
 
ExaminationFinal Examination

written examination


Written Exam in Lecturehall

All aids allowed

Description of Examination: Written 4 hour exam. The exam questions test the students ability to apply the concepts and formulae covered by the course.

Weight: Written exam 4 hours 100%



7-point scale, internal examiner

Dates of Exam:
01 November 2008
 
Requirement For Attending ExamA final mini project report must be approved
 
Organisation of TeachingLectures, experimental excercises, theoretical excercises, project work
 
Block PlacementBlock 1
Week Structure: C
 
Teaching LanguageEnglish
 
Optional PrerequisitesElementary skills in mathematics. Acquaintence with sine, cosine, square root, exponential and logarithm.
 
RestrictionsNone
 
Course Contents
The course comprises the following three general themes: A) Basic principles of the boundary layer physical and climatic elements B) Applied principles and methods within plant science C) Specific applied methods relevant in agricultural, horticultural, forest and landscape relations.

A. Basic: Micro, local and meso climatic elements, Energy balances, Radiation geometry, Atmospheric properties, Wind/heat/humidity transport mechanisms, Boundary layer transport, Shelter effects, Evapotranspiration, Climates of simple non-vegetated and non-uniform surfaces, Global climate, Climate classification, Air pollution and the boundary layer, Climate change and the environmental impact.

B. Applied, general: Climates of vegetated surfaces, Forest climate and hydrology, Intentionally modified climates, Glasshouse climate, Inadvertent climate modification, Urban climate, Crop and local weather, soil-plant-atmosphere modelling, Atmospheric deposition and dispersion in the boundary layer.

C. Applied, specific: Climate stations, Climate and orchards, Climate modification by outdoor growing, Climate management in greenhouses, Climate and forestry, Climate change and tree growing.
 
Teaching And Learning Methods
The fundamental topics related to the course content parts A, B and C are covered by lectures, including guest lectures. Small experimental demonstrations in relation to the physical methods and the biological topics are provided. Theoretical excersises 2-4 hours per week (varying). Practical exercises approximately 8 hours in all. A miniproject (duration 1 week) will be included at the end of the course.
 
Learning Outcome
The objective is that the student be able to estimate the local climate and its dependence on terrain conditions together with both its influence and dependence on the vegetation. The aim is further to provide a fundamental physical knowledge making it possible to work professionally within areas such as climate management and atmospheric environment.
After completing the course the student will be able to:
Knowledge:
-Describe the basic climatic components like temperature, humidity, precipitation and wind
-Identify the physical processes in relation to climate and weather e.g. the air-, heat- and water vapour transport mechanisms
-Describe and identify the different surface- and boundary layer characteristics e.g. vegetation, topography and soil condition
-Classify and identify the micro-, local-, meso- and global climatic elements
Skills:
-Apply the concepts and formulae covered by the course to do simple calculations.
-Analyse the intentionally modified climates such as surface control, frost protection, shelter effects and greenhouse climates
-Apply the basic knowledge to assess inadvertent climate modification such as forest- and urban climate
Competences:
-Manage more complex plant production and silvicultural problems by combination of basic and applied principles and elements
-Apply climatological principles and methods from more extensive and specific climate/plant related courses within agricultural, horticultural and silvicultural science
-Evaluate and discuss causes and effects in relation to air pollution and climate change

 
Course Litterature
T.R. Oke: Boundary Layer Climates; Routledge, 2 edition 1988
 
Course Coordinator
Lars Holm Øgendal, lho@life.ku.dk, Department of Natural Sciences/Biophysics, Phone: 35332288
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Course Scope
lectures42
theoretical exercises22
practicals8
Excursions8
Colloquia4
preparation118
examination4

206