Applied climatology: Principles of climate impact on natural environment (Geog 106)
Applied Climatology is one of the major subgroups in climatology. It uses climate data and theoretical constructions to solve practical problems with environmental, social, and economical implications. The increased concern about climate and environmental change has dramatically propelled the growth of this field in structure and scope during the past decades. This course intends to provide students with the knowledge and the tools to solve complex problems in contemporary applied climatology. Applied Climatology is pertinent to many of sub-fields in physical geography. Therefore, it is important to train students to properly understand the fundamental problems in applied climatology. Three areas will be presented in the course, with the second area being the primary focus:
(1) the research tools used in applied climatology;
(2) climate and physical/biological/hydrological/biogeochemical/geomorphologic environments;
(3) climate change and the application of applied climatology.
Part I of the course will review the current practices and methodological developments that represent the basic tools underpinning applied climatology research. Subjects that will be covered include data collection (both traditional and newly developed large-scale field measurements), statistical representation, and climate modeling procedures.
Part II of the course will present the basic components in the physical and biological environments, and mechanisms through which climate and climate change influence their functions. Subjects that will be covered include water budget, glaciers, geomorphic processes/land forms, vegetation, carbon budget, and soil. Their effects on climate will also be discussed.
Part III will present the application of applied climatology in climate-environment interactions. Cases that are related to the changing climatic environment will be presented.
Grading:
1/3 Home Work and class presentation, 1/3 First Hourly Exam, and 1/3 Final Exam
Prerequisite:
Geography 1 or equivalent.
Texts:
Russell D. Thompson and Allen Perry, 1997, Applied Climatology: Principle and practice. Routledge, New York.