Climate Change. Impacts in the Marine Environment and Coastal Zone (250582) – Course 2024/25 PDF
Syllabus
Learning Objectives
In this subject, basic aspects of Climate Change at a global scale will be addressed (considering the future scenarios described by the IPCC), and its impact at a regional coastal scale. Emphasis will be placed on the main factors of change at the coast, such as the variation of the mean sea level, the distribution of extreme wave, wind and rain events, water temperature and its relation to acidification. Finally, the most relevant aspects of the impact on the coasts and ports and, in general, on the planning of the coastal zone will be addressed. 1. Understand the anthropogenic causes of climate change. Understand the different projections presented in the IPCC reports. 2. Understand the impact of climate change on marine and coastal systems from an ecological, physical and human point of view. 3. Become familiar with the most common methods to mitigate the effects of climate change on the coast, and potential adaptation techniques, both natural and assisted. The topics addressed in this matter cover most of the physical, environmental and ecological problems and challenges identified by the scientific community and the social agents that the coastal zone will face in the near future under different development scenarios and climate change. * Introduce vocabulary and concepts used in the analysis of climate change. * Analyze the basis and present dynamics of the marine and coastal environment to be able to evaluate the climatic impact. * Participate in multi-disciplinary work teams, made up of students with different curricular itineraries and led by teachers with different skills to respond to the challenges posed by climate change. * Evaluate the multiple dimensions of the impact on the marine and coastal environment with multi-disciplinary criteria. * Address the most relevant scales and processes that determine the physicochemical, biological-geological and socio-economic components of climate change over the coastal zone. * Pose and analyze possible interventions for an adaptation of the coastal zone together with the adjacent marine and terrestrial strip and thus achieve greater sustainability under climate change. * Use data and models to calculate the impacts of climate change on marine and coastal areas and possible adaptation measures. * Develop a conceptual framework to structure the actions of adaptation to time scales ranging from storms to decades and space scales ranging from a coastal ecosystem to a regional analysis of the marine environment (terrestrial, coastal and platform) under different climatic scenarios. * Possess an integrated perspective of the different tools and technologies of calculation to determine impacts and paths of adaptation to the climatic change to marine and coastal zones. * Improve the ability to write reports and present analyzes on the impact of climate change on marine and coastal areas.
Competencies
Especific
To know and apply the lexicon and concepts of the Marine Sciences and Technologies and other related fields.
Establish a good practice in the integration of common numerical, laboratory and field techniques in the analysis of any problem related to the marine environment.
Participate and eventually lead multidisciplinary work teams in the field of Marine Sciences and Technologies to respond to the social challenges related to this field.
Evaluate the bio- and geo-diversity of the marine environment, identifying habitats and ecosystems with multidisciplinary criteria.
Evaluate the dynamics of seas and oceans at different scales, identifying water masses and their properties. (Specific competence of Marine Science and Engineering Mention)
Address the most relevant processes and their interactions related to their physical / chemical / biological / geological components, applying technical and scientific knowledge and criteria.
To set, analyze and optimize the functionality of actions and infrastructures in the marine environment. (Specific competence of the Marine Science and Engineering Mention)
Carry out operational predictions in the open sea and coastal areas, including the corresponding risk maps. (Specific competence of the Marine Science and Engineering Mention)
Use state-of-the-arte mathematical models in the marine field to analyze impacts and interactions with socio-economic activities supported by this environment. (Specific competence of the Marine Science and Engineering Mention)
Develop a conceptual framework to address the sustainability of the marine environment and the related socio-economic activities at different scales, explaining the effects of climate change.
Set, plan and execute basic and applied research in the field of Marine Sciences and Technologies.
Carry out calculations, assessments, surveys and inspections in coastal and marine environments, as well as the corresponding technical documents.
Write technical reports and disseminate knowledge about the different components of the marine system, considering the applicable legal framework.
Generic
Apply state-of-the-art methods and techniques in oceanography and marine climate, jointly covering the physical, chemical, geological and biological aspects.
Develop a conceptual framework that links the scientific-technological and management aspects for marine resources, explaining the interactions with marine infrastructures and management plans in coastal areas.
Encompass and teach studies in the different research lines that converge in Marine Sciences and Technologies.
Combining preservation with economic activity within the framework of current legislation promoting the development of a social and environmental awareness.
Total hours of student work
| Hours | Percentage | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supervised Learning | Large group | 30h | 50.00 % | |
| Medium group | 15h | 25.00 % | ||
| Laboratory classes | 15h | 25.00 % | ||
| Self Study | 90h | |||
Teaching Methodology
This course has been structured in 42 hours of theory class per course, complemented with 16 hours of practice and 2 hours of laboratory. Although most of the sessions will be taught in the language indicated in the guide, it is possible that the sessions with the support of other invited experts may be taught in another language.
Grading Rules
The evaluation calendar and grading rules will be approved before the start of the course.
Ordinary Evaluation (EO) The grade of the continuous evaluation is the weighted arithmetic average of the two exams of the subject, which will have the same value (50% and 50%). The continuous evaluation will have a maximum modification of 10%. In order to pass, the final grade of the EO must be greater or equal to 5. Re-evaluation (RE) Criteria of qualification and admission to the re-evaluation (Re): Students suspended to the ordinary evaluation who have regularly presented themselves to the evaluation tests of the suspended subject will have the option to take a re-evaluation test in the period fixed in the academic calendar. Students who have already passed the re-evaluation test of a subject and students who have been marked as "no-shows" will not be allowed to take the re-evaluation test. The re-evaluation (RE) will consist of a single exam covering the entire course content. The maximum grade for the re-evaluation will be five (5.0) and the final grade for the course will be the maximum grade between the continuous evaluation and the re-evaluation exam. The non-attendance of a student summoned to the re-evaluation test, held in the fixed period, will not give rise to the realization of another test at a later date. Extraordinary evaluations will be carried out for those students who, due to accredited force majeure, have not been able to take any of the continuous evaluation tests. These tests must be authorized by the corresponding head of studies, at the request of the professor responsible for the subject, and will be held within the corresponding academic period.
Test Rules
If any of the laboratory or continuous evaluation activities are not performed in the scheduled period, it will be considered as a zero score. The exams will be individually administered, with multiple-choice questions that can be theoretical or problem-type questions. The exams may include short questions to be developed by the students and exercises to be solved.
Office Hours
Appointments will be arranged by e-mail with students who request them.
Bibliography
Basic
- Masselink, Gerd ; Gehrels, Roland. Coastal Environments and Global Change. Chichester : Wiley: Wiley, 2014. ISBN 9780470656594.
- Basco, David. Design of Coastal Hazard Mitigation Alternatives for Rising Seas. Singapore: World Scientific 2020, 2020. ISBN 9789811206931.
Complementary
- Science of The Total Environment. Science of The Total Environment, 2016.
- Berry PM, Betts RA, Harrison PA, Sanchez-Arcilla A. High-end climate change in Europe, Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation. Sofia, Bulgaria: Pensoft Pu, 2017. ISBN 9789546428615.
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Climate change 2022 : mitigation of climate change. IPCC, 2022. ISBN 978-92-9169-160-9.