Forests play an important role in the climate regulation systems of the earth. This module will explore, in a way that is understandable for students with and without a science background, the linkages between forests, climate (change) and carbon and other green house gases. The following topics will be covered in this module: Forest types, tree species; Environmental factors determining tree growth/health; impacts of forests on climate and ecosystems; Climate predictions, expected consequences and dendro-climatology; Mitigation: carbon sequestration, biomass, renewable energy, product lifecycle, conservation of existing forests and forest expansion, land-use change and context of forestry among other land-use types e.g. agricultural systems; Adaptation: forest management, forest conversion/transformation, species selection, silvicultural systems; Carbon trading: Reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD); International cooperation (Kyoto, Copenhagen, Madrid, Cancun) and current position for Ireland.
A compulsory one-day fieldtrip will be organised during the fieldwork/study period in weeks 8 and 9.