Print Syllabus

Syllabus

PNS0238 Agroecology, 5.0 Credits

Subjects

Agricultural Science

Education cycle

Postgraduate level

Grading scale

Prior knowledge

Admitted to PhD studies

Objectives

The course is intended for students in ecology, agronomy, biology, environmental sciences, interested in exploring ecological processes and concepts central to agricultural production systems and how they relate to agronomic practices. Followed by a brief introduction into relevant ecology concepts, there will be a focus on ecosystem processes that influence crop production and production stability (e.g., nutrient cycling, pollination, herbivory, predation). We follow a perspective of how the biodiversity that drives these processes above and below ground (BEF/BES), such as soil biota, pests and their natural enemies above and below ground, and pollinators, and how these shape crop performance and yield. The course will challenge participants to consider how these organisms are affected by crop management, and how the ecosystem functions they generate vary across space and time from within cropped fields, to farm, to landscape and regions, as well as from days to multiple years. Where appropriate we will introduce aspects of climate change and other global changes, which set the context for much of what we do and what we face. We will discuss how ecological principles can be employed in the development of crop production systems to improve resource capture, efficiency and sustainability of agriculture. We will integrate conceptual aspects drawing on ecological theory, practical methods, and analytical approaches in workshops and through student led discussions. For each function and scale we will discuss and develop an understanding of the implications for organismal ecology and ecological functioning, including for applications to ecosystem services.

Content

Learning outcomes

(i) Gain a working understanding of the linkages between biodiversity and ecological processes of relevance to agroecosystem functioning and sustainability in a changing climate.

(ii) build familiarity with interpretation and analysis of population, community, and certain spatial data using current statistical software

(iii) gain advanced knowledge of concepts in agricultural ecology, including an introduction to methods for qualitative and quantitative exploration of ecological approaches to management.

(iv) Develop research and communication skills through summarizing, presenting and leading discussion on a topic in agricultural ecology; including soliciting questions and facilitating rigorous discussion from peer participants

Pedagogical format

The course is composed of two parts. In the first preparatory part, you will self assign into groups to explore a topic area within agricultural ecology. You are asked to read assigned literature, collect additional literature and compile a written topic summary and prepare a presentation in preparation of the second part. The first part is done collaboratively from a distance using self-arranged web conferencing, email, etc. In the second part of the course, students and teachers will gather for a one-week full time participatory class, where instructor-led lectures are combined with student presentations of groups topics and instructor facilitated/ hands-on exercises. The in-class exercises are further developed in a workshop format and results will be summarized as written reports.

Course Schedule and Mechanics

We will use Canvas to share all course documents, submit assignments and to communicate. Communication includes all course related emails for instructors, which we ask be made via Canvas. We also ask that you send emails with questions/ comments for instructors to all three instructors. This will help "close-the loop" on things in a timely fashion in case one of us is unavailable. The in person class will be organized as a series of modules composed of lectures, student led discussion and workshops that are mirrored through the structure of the course Canvas. Each module will consist of:

● A lecture by instructors (30 to 50 min),

● A student lead presentation of a pre-assigned topic (20-30 min)

● A student lead discussion of one or two papers related to the topic (20-30 min)

● A workshop class exercise (1-3 hs)

Jan 21 + 23 Reading assigned and topics selected

Jan 24-March 4 Group work developing written summaries, lecture & discussion session

March 7 Submit topic review

March 14-18 Retreat workshop Ekenäs, Flen, Sweden

Formats and requirements for examination

Pass or Fail

❏ Drafted group topic summaries in preparation of the retreat

❏ Full attendance at week-long retreat course

❏ Co-present a lecture and co-lead paper discussion session

❏ Actively participate in discussions for all topics

❏ Carryout in class activities

❏ Submit/discuss in class activity summaries

Additional information

Main instructors:

Amélie Gaudin agaudin@ucdavis.edu & Neal Williams nmwilliams@ucdavis.edu

Course coordinator: Riccardo Bommarco

Responsible department

Department of Ecology