Advanced Climatology: How land surface processes influence climate (Geog 205)
Climate has traditionally been considered as the mean state of the atmosphere, including its statistical ensemble properties. However, the classification of these climate properties has focused on elements essential to life, in particular plants. Therefore, in classical considerations of climate, its interactions with the biosphere play a crucial role. This seminar examines how land surface processes influence local, regional, and global climate and environment at diurnal, seasonal, interannual, as well as multi-century scales by reviewing modeling and measurement studies conducted during the last decade.
This graduate seminar class will first present the physical concepts and basic principles of land-surface /atmosphere interactions. It will further explore these topics in terms regional and global perspectives and implications. In many regions on the Earth, changes in land cover affect local climate. Some regions, in particular, appear to be "hot spots". They include the Sahelian and the boreal region, which are transition zones, and the Amazon forest, a major pool of biomass and biodiversity. These regions will be studied in detail. There is a soon-to-be published book surveying these studies. It will allow us to take advantage of the latest studies to have a broad overview and understanding of this important scientific field.
Biospheric Feedback in the Climate System and the Hydrological Cycle, Eds, P. Kabat, M. Claussen et al.
Since this book is still in the process of being published, copies of relevant chapters will be available throughout the course.
Weekly discussions will be based on readings from the text and relevant papers and articles. Students will be required to submit a bi-weekly written summary of the readings. Term papers will be presented in class during the quarter. They will focus on the connections between the issues discussed in class and the students’ personal research interests.
Week 1. Introduction
Sections A1 and A3.1 in the Reader.
Weeks 2 and 3. Global and regional climate
Sections A2 and A3.3-3.5
Weeks 4. Paleoclimatology
Section A3.2 and A3.3
Weeks 5 and 6 Amazonian Climate
Section A5
Weeks 7 and 8 Sahel Climate
Section A4
Weeks 9 and 10. Boreal Forest
Section A6