Environmental Geography

Course Description

Objectives
The aim of this course is to introduce students to basic knowledge on the field of environmental geography through the introduction of the basic concepts of biosphere, ecology, biotic natural processes, the interaction of the processes with the abiotic environment (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere) shaping the natural environment.

Content
Α. Theory
1. Ecology and the environment as fields of physical geography
2. Biosphere: definition and basic elements
3. Ecosystem types and their classifications: examples from Greece
4. Biological characteristics of the oceans
5. Interactions between biosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere
6. Interactions among biological structures
7. Basic ecological processes and functions (e.g., productivity, carbon sequestration)
8. Population dynamics
9. Patterns of species and habitats distribution in space
10. Time and the notion of ecological succession
11. Landscape ecology (landscape patterns in space and time and the notion of scale)
B. Practicals
1. Basic biosphere elements
2. Habitat type map reading in different scales
3. Population dynamics exercises
4. Predator-prey models
5. Field measurement of biomass estimates and vegetation productivity
6. Soil stored carbon estimates
7. Estimation of landscape patterns through vegetation maps
8. Change of landscape patterns in space
9. Methods of landscape pattern quantification

Teaching & Assessment
Teaching is conducted through a combination of theory with practice. Special emphasis is given to field visits and exercises, to familiarize the students with the observation of structures and processes they are taught in class.
Assessment is conducted through:
1. Written exam on the theory and practicals of the course (100%) which contains:
• Open questions (60%)
• Multiple choice questions (40%)
2. Submission of weekly exercises (prerequisite for participation in the exam course)