Environmental resilience
Module Content Prerequisites
Before taking this module you must have taken:
1 of GEOU4ER prerequisites
People and the Environment (GEOU1PP)
Landscape Evolution (ENVU2LV)
Global Environmental Issues (GEOU2GE)
Biogeography: An Ecological and Evolutionary Approach (GEOU3BE)
People and the Environment (GEOU1PE)
Building Planet Earth (ENVU1BP)
Building Planet Earth (ENVU1GE)
Landscape Evolution (ENVU2LE)
Biogeography: An Ecological and Evolutionary Approach (GEOU3BG)
Module Description
Resilience or the ability to resist, adapt or recover from changes driven by biophysical and human disturbances is a fundamental characteristic of the natural environment. Environmental Resilience is a core Physical Geography module where we will explore how different geomorphological and environmental properties, processes and feedback mechanisms contribute to the resilience of landscapes and landforms.
You’ll also explore the ways that they are impacted by increasing human pressures on the environment and a rapidly changing climate.
In this module you’ll learn about:
key concepts in resilience theory and landscape change;
a range of biophysical and environmental processes that determine the resilience of coastal, fluvial and lake systems;
how to sustainably restore landscape resilience by working with natural processes.
The UN has defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which set out the world’s roadmap to ending poverty, reducing inequality and protecting the planet by 2030. In this module you will learn about what makes landscapes resilient and explore case studies that are relevant to delivering SDGs 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, 13: Climate Action, 14: Life Below Water and 15: Life on Land.
Location/Method of Study
Stirling/On Campus, UK
Stirling
Module Objectives
This module will introduce the key concepts in environmental resilience that are necessary for understanding many of the environmental challenges we face today. This will be done by considering examples from fluvial, coastal and lake systems to analyse multiple facets of resilience at landscape level, and explore potential solutions to restore the resilience of diverse landscapes by working with natural processes. Thorough the semester we will cover the following topics:- Key concepts in resilience theory- Characteristics of landscape change- Resilience of fluvial systems- Coastal resilience- Working with natural processes for landscape resilience- Processes and change in freshwater lakes- Lake management and restoration- Resilience to a changing climateThe module will also include a virtual field trip and practical sessions for analysing environmental data from fluvial, coastal and lake systems.
Additional Costs
There are no additional costs associated with this Module.
Core Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you should be able to:
explain the inter-relationships between the biophysical and human drivers of environmental change that determine the resilience of different landscapes and landforms;
recognise the limits and sustainability of specific landscape interventions for enhancing environmental resilience in a changing climate;
apply a systems perspective to analyse examples of resilient landscapes;
analyse and integrate field and practical-based information with theoretical content.
Introductory Reading and Preparatory Work
Holden, J. (Ed.), 2017. An Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment, 4th edition. Pearson.
Delivery
Directed Study 20 hours Large group presentation or talk on a particular topic
Directed Study 10 hours A discussion or classroom session focussing on particular topics or projects, may be virtual but are available at a specific time or live
Directed Study 9 hours A session involving the development and practical application of a particular skill or technique
Directed Study 7 hours Survey work, data collection, exploration, which may be supervised or unsupervised and may take place virtually
Directed Study 4 hours A meeting involving one-to-one or small group supervision, feedback or detailed discussion on a particular topic or project, online or in person
Directed Study 100 hours Preparation for scheduled sessions, follow up work, wider reading and practice, completion of assessment tasks, revision, accessing webinars and other materials available on demand
Undirected Study 50 hours Independent activities required to complete the module
Total Study Time 200 hours
Attendance Requirements
Your engagement with learning materials and activities and attendance at scheduled live sessions and other events is extremely important. Full engagement in your studies will enable you to get the most out of the course and help you perform at your best when it comes to assessment.
We expect you to engage with all aspects of this module and with your programme of study. You should:
Engage with all module materials, activities, and online timetabled teaching sessions
Actively participate in discussions and practical activities
Prepare in advance of live sessions by undertaking the required reading and/or other forms of preparation
Submit coursework/assessments by the due time and date
Complete class tests and examinations at the specified time and date
Make your module co-ordinator aware at the earliest opportunity if you experience problems which may impact on your engagement
Inform the University of absence from study (planned or unplanned), e.g. illness, emergency as outlined at http://www.stir.ac.uk/registry/studentinformation/absence
Respond to e-mails from your personal tutor, module co-ordinator or programme director and attend meetings if requested.
Engage with in-sessional English language classes (if applicable)
We will monitor these aspects throughout each semester to check that you are fully participating and that you are coping well with your studies. Some activities may be prescribed, failure to engage with 2/3 of prescribed activities will result in your module grade being capped at the pass mark (40 for Undergraduate modules, 50 for Postgraduate modules
Assessment
% of final
grade Learning
Outcomes
Report 30 2,4,3
Poster 20 4
Exam (Canvas - on campus) 50 1,3,2
Coursework: 50%
Examination: 50%
More information at: https://portal.stir.ac.uk/calendar/calendar.jsp?modCode=GEOU4ER&_gl=1*1r1wd2*_ga*MTY1OTcwNzEyMS4xNjkyMDM2NjY3*_ga_ENJQ0W7S1M*MTY5MjAzNjY2Ny4xLjEuMTY5MjAzNzg0My4wLjAuMA..
Presential
TRUE
Environmental resilience
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. The statements made herein do not necessarily have the consent or agreement of the ASTRAIOS Consortium. These represent the opinion and findings of the author(s).
