Ecohydrological modeling

Summary

This course provides the theoretical basis for understanding and modeling the interactions between the hydrologic cycle, vegetation, soil, climate, and human society.

Content

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Keywords

Ecohydrology, modeling, soil-plant-atmosphere, soil moisture dynamics, terrestrial biosphere modeling

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

Hydrology for Engineers (ENV-221)

Soil science (ENV-222)

 

Recommended courses

Fundamentals in Ecology (ENV-220)

Important concepts to start the course

Numerical modeling is required

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Assess / Evaluate key linkages and feedbacks between hydrological and ecological processes.
• Describe how coupling between physical, chemical, and biological processes controls ecosystem structure and function.
• Carry out numerical simulations of soil-plant-atmosphere dynamics with models of different complexity.
• Analyze critically recent scientific literature on the subject.

Transversal skills

• Plan and carry out activities in a way which makes optimal use of available time and other resources.
• Set objectives and design an action plan to reach those objectives.
• Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
• Communicate effectively, being understood, including across different languages and cultures.
• Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
• Make an oral presentation.
• Use both general and domain specific IT resources and tools
• Take account of the social and human dimensions of the engineering profession.

Teaching methods

• Weekly frontal lectures at the blackboard and with the aid of projected material.
• Tutorials on the construction, setup, and use of different ecohydrological models.
• Work in teams on a group project for the entire duration of the course.

Assessment methods

• Mid-term exam (15%)
• Group project (30%)
• Final written exam (55%)

Supervision

Office hours	Yes
Assistants	Yes
Forum	Yes
Others	Please contact the teacher by e-mail to fix an appointment

Resources

Bibliography

Slides/Class Notes

Relevant scientific articles

Books:

• Porporato, A. and Yin, J., 2022. Ecohydrology: Dynamics of life and water in the critical zone. Cambridge University Press.
• Bonan, G., 2019. Climate change and terrestrial ecosystem modeling. Cambridge University Press.

 

Ressources en bibliothèque

• Ecohydrology: Dynamics of life and water in the critical zone / Porporato, Yin
• Climate change and terrestrial ecosystem modeling / Bonan

Notes/Handbook

Essentials for completion of the course will be self-contained in the Class notes and the relevant scientific literature (uploaded weekly through the Moodle Platform).

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/ENV-411