1. komponenta

Lecture type	Total
Lectures	30
Seminar	15

* Load is given in academic hour (1 academic hour = 45 minutes)

The aim of the course Biological effects of climate change is to adopt an understanding of the effects of climate change on the non-living world and the cause-and-effect relationships of the same changes at different levels of the biological and ecological hierarchy, from the effects on the genetic diversity and genetic structure of populations of certain species, changes in the distribution of species, to changes in communities and ecosystems, and critically assess the impact of climate change and its biological consequences, which contributes to the development of strategies and mitigation measures.

Lecture topics
Climate change: overview of major changes, climate in the past, modelling and predictions of future climate, differences among regions
Changes in biogeochemical cycles caused by climate change
Observations and predictions of direct and indirect impacts of climate change on freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems: introduction, review of methods and review of the most important literature
Effects of climate change on freshwater species: changes in phenology and life cycles; effects on populations of freshwater organisms, and on communities in freshwater ecosystems
Effects of climate change on terrestrial species: changes in phenology and life cycles, effects on populations of terrestrial organisms, and on communities in terrestrial ecosystems
Changes in animal distribution: effects of climate change from a biogeographical perspective.
Changes in the genetic structure of populations and the genetic diversity of individual species under the influence of climate change, local extinction and the importance of adaptation potential for the survival of species
Interaction of climate change and other anthropogenic stressors (habitat changes, pollution, etc.).
Effects of climate change on specific ecosystems: riparian zones as links between freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, intermittent streams
Effects of climate change on ecosystem services; urban environment and the effects of climate change
Global challenges and potential strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change
Overview of available interactive tools for monitoring and modelling climate change impacts.

Seminars follow lectures, and will be discussed in detail depending on the number of enrolled students and their personal interests.

1. Climate Change Biology, Lee Hannah, Academic Press 3rd edition., 2021.
2. Climate change, impacts and vulnerability in Europe 2016 An indicator-based report. EEA REport No 1/20, slobodno dostupno: https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/climate-change-impacts-and-vulnerability-2016, European Environment Agency, European Environment Agency, 2017.

Izborni kolegiji - Regular study - Biology