神奇而脆弱的生态环境
谢双玉
生态环境是人类生存和发展所依赖的物质基础和空间条件。生态环境是由一系列非生命要素和生命要素组成的复杂巨系统，这些要素相互作用、相互影响、相互制约，形成神奇的动态稳定的结构，完成神奇的复杂多样的功能，支持着生命系统的诞生、发展和进化，支撑着人类社会的形成、进步和演化。同时，人类社会的发展演化也在影响和改变着生态环境，尤其是工业革命以来，随着科学技术的进步，人类的足迹遍布世界各个角落，人类活动的影响涉及各个领域，带来人口增长、土地退化、资源枯竭、环境污染、瘟疫流行、气候变化等一连串威胁到人类社会甚至地球可持续发展的问题。本课程正是基于这一背景，以系统科学、生态学、环境科学、可持续发展的基本理论为基础，结合国内外最新发展趋势，讲授生态环境复杂巨系统的组成要素、结构、功能及其维持动态平衡的机制、主要生态系统类型及其特征和形成机理，分析生物多样性在维护生态系统平衡中的重要作用，讲授人类面临的主要环境问题，分析这些问题产生的根源，尤其是全球人口及城市化发展的趋势及其对生态环境的影响。
Syllabus of Miraculous & Vulnerable Ecological Environment
1. Basic Information
Name：Miraculous & Vulnerable Ecological Environment
Code：44751006
Editor：Shuangyu Xie
Hours：32
Lecturers：Shuangyu Xie（谢双玉）, Hongzhi Wang（王宏志）, Hailin Zhang（张海林）, Yan Jiang（姜艳）, Bo Cheng（程波）, Xuying Yuan（袁绪英）
Department：the College of Urban & Environmental Sciences
Category：Core general education
Textbook:
Miller and Spoolman. Environmental Science (15th Edition). Cengage Learning, 2016.
References:
Withgott, J. & Laposata, M. Environment：The Science Behind the Stories（5th edition）. Pearson，2014.
（美）埃恩格. 环境科学——交叉关系学科（第13版）. 清华大学出版社，2012年.
Time: Fall 2018, Wen. 18:00-19:40
Contact e-mail: 442516008@qq.com
Office: B-10 616
Phone: 13100606320
Office Hours:Thu: 8:00-9:30AM
Teaching assistant: 王安琦 （朱慧慧）, qq: 2291508708
2. Course Overview
An introduction to the study of the environment as an inclusive system that is connected to the diverse scientific fields of biology, chemistry, geology, hydrology, atmospheric science, climatology and geography. Based on the theories of ecology, environmental sciences, sustainable development, this course will address the main environmental problems that human being are suffering and the fundamental causes they occur. It will also analyze the components, structure of ecosystems and their functions, explain the important role that biodiversity play in sustain ecosystems, explore the types of ecosystems and how they evolve. Then it will demonstrate the trends of population growth and urbanization and the impacts of various human activities.
3. Course Goals
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge of the interrelationship of the various parts of the Earth’s environmental systems: the geosphere, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere, and the cryosphere.
Identify and explain environmental systems and processes in global, regional and local scale.
Demonstrate methods used in environmental science field work and data analysis.
Apply principles of environmental science to resolve societal scenarios (hazards and non-hazards)
Write about and discuss issues concerning the environment as an integrated system using scientific principles and concepts.
4. Course Structure and Schedule
This course meets for two hours of lecture each week. There is no laboratory component. The following schedule will be followed as closely as possible, but, as may happen, we may at points in the course find ourselves a little ahead, or a little behind of schedule. To keep abreast of what will be required of you in the exams your best bet is to come to class. Your second best bet is to check starC for announcements and updates. You are expected to read all required material BEFORE coming to lecture.
Weeks |
Topics/Activities |
Assignment |
一 |
Introduction Chapter 01 Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability（环境问题及其根源与可持续发展） 1.1 What environmental problems have/are occurred/occurring? 1.2 Why do we have environmental problems? 1.3 How can we measure the impact of human activities on the environment? 1.4 What is an environmentally sustainable society? |
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二 |
Chapter 02 Matter, Energy and Systems（系统学基本原理） 2.1 What is matter and what happens when it undergoes change? 2.2 What is energy and what happens when it undergoes change? 2.3 What are systems and how do they respond to change? |
Post-learning test 1 |
三 |
Chapter 03 Ecosystems: What Are They and How Do They Work?（生态系统：组成结构、功能及特征） 3.1 How Does the Earth’s Life-Support System Work? 3.2 What are the Major Components of an Ecosystem? 3.3 What happens to Energy in an Ecosystem? 3.4 What Happens to Matter in an Ecosystem? |
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四 |
Chapter 04 Biodiversity and Evolution（生物多样性及其演化） 4.1 What Is Biodiversity and Why Is It Important? 4.2 What Roles Do Species Play in Ecosystems? 4.3 How Does the Earth’s Life Change Over Time? 4.4 What Factors Affect Biodiversity? |
Post-learning test 2 |
五 |
Chapter 05 Species Interactions, Ecological Succession, and Population Control（物种相互作用及种群数量控制） 5.1 How do species interact? 5.2 How do communities and ecosystems respond to changing environmental conditions? 5.3 What limits the growth of populations? |
Group work 1 |
六 |
Chapter 06 Diversity of Ecosystems（生态系统类型、成因及特征） 6.1 What are the World’s Major Types of Terrestrial Ecosystems? 6.2 What are the World’s Major Types of Marine Ecosystems? 6.3 What are the World’s Major Types of Freshwater Ecosystems? |
Group work 1 |
七 |
不同类型生态系统的分布范围、特征和面临的问题 |
小组学习 课堂汇报 |
八 |
Chapter 07 The Human Population and Urbanization（人口增长及城市化） 7.1 What Factors Influence the Size of the Human Population? 7.2 What are Some Ways to Slow Human Population Growth? 7.3 What are the Major Urban Trends and Environmental Problems? 7.4 How can Cities Become Sustainable and Livable? |
Post-learning test 3 |
九 |
Chapter 08 Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources, Geological Hazards（地质和化石能源资源开采及地质灾害） 8.1 What Are Earth’s Geological Processes/What Are Mineral Resources? 8.2 How Long Might Supplies of Nonrenewable Mineral Resources Last? 8.3 What Are Environmental Effects of Using Nonrenewable Mineral Resources? 8.4 How Can We Use Mineral Resources More Sustainably? 8.5 What Are the Earth’s Major Geological Hazards? |
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十 |
Chapter 09 Agriculture and Soil Pollution（农业及土壤污染） 9.1 What Is Food Security and Why Is It Difficult To Attain? 9.2 How Is Food Produced? 9.3 What Environmental Problems Arise from Industrialized Food Production? 9.4 How Can We Protect Crops from Pests More Sustainably? 9.5 How Can We Improve Food Security? 9.6 How Can We Produce Food More Sustainably? |
Environment in the News 1 |
十一 |
Chapter 10 Water Resources and Water Pollution（水资源利用与水污染） 10.1 Will We Have Enough Usable Water? 10.2 How Can We Increase Freshwater Supplies? 10.3 How can we use freshwater more sustainably? 10.4 How can we deal with water pollution? |
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十二 |
Chapter 11 Energy Resources and Air Pollution （能源资源利用与空气污染） 11.1 What Is Net Energy and Why Is It Important? 11.2 What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Fossil Fuel? 11.3 What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Nuclear Power? 11.4 Why Is Energy Efficiency an Important Energy Resource? 11.5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Renewable Energy 11.6 How Can We Make the Transition To a More Sustainable Energy Future? 11.7 What are the major air pollution problems? 11.8 How should we deal with air pollution? |
Environment in the News 2 |
十三 |
Experiment: test soil and water environment |
实验报告 |
十四 |
Chapter 12 Global Climate Change（全球气候变化） 12.1 What is Climate Change? 12.2 How do we know how much the climate has changed? 12.3 What are the Evidences/Effects of Climate Change? 12.4 Are We Responsible for Climate Change? 12.5 How should We Respond to Climate Change? |
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十五 |
Chapter 13 Solid and Hazardous Waste（固体及有毒废弃物） 13.1 What Major Health Hazards Do We Face? 13.2 What Types of Biological Hazards Do We Face? 13.3 What Types of Chemical Hazards Do We Face? 13.4 How Can We Evaluate Chemical Hazards? 13.5 How Do We Perceive Risks and How Can We Avoid the Worst of Them? |
Group work 2 |
十六 |
Topics: Population growth; Urbanization; Geological hazards; Food security; Water shortage; Water pollution; Air pollution; Climate change; Sustainability of energy; Hazardous waste; Sustaining biodiversity: saving species |
小组学习 课堂汇报 |
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考试 |
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5. Requirements And Grading
The grade in this course is based heavily on active participation in class discussions.
5.1 Grading & Class Policies
Grading will be based on the following:
• Performance during classes accounts for 70%
‒ Participation: no points, but deducting point
‒ Post-learning test: 3 at 10% each = 30 points
‒ Environment in the news: 2 at 5% each = 10 points
‒ Experimental report: 1 at 10% each = 10 point
‒ Group work and presentation: 2 at 10% each = 20 points
• Final exam accounts for 30%
5.2 Participation
Course participation is an important component of your grade. You are required to attend each class meeting. Two points for each miss and one point for each late will be deducted. Course participation is a component of your grade and information covered in our discussions will be on your exams.
If you miss 5 or more classes I reserve the right to deduct a full grade point (lowering your grade from an A to a B). In contrast, your final grade might be curved up if you come to all classes and actively participate.
5.3 Post-learning test (30 points)
Each chapter has an online post-learning test that is developed to help you reflect on what you have learned and prepare for exams. Throughout this semester, you will be assigned to do 3 of them.
5.4 Environment in the News (10 points)
Every day, there are news story pertaining to environmental science in the newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and online. Throughout the semester, there are two “Environment in the News” assignments. On these dates, you will find an article that pertains to the previous weeks’ topics and write a comment of no less than 500 words on it. In particular, I would like for you to not simply explain the problem being discussed, but show that you have researched the science behind it or possible solutions being proposed. You will have a discussion in class of this article in which you will present it to a group of your peers.
5.5 Experimental report (10 points)
You need to write an experimental report after you finish the experiment on water or soil environment following teacher’s instruct. I would like you to focus on the explanation of experimental results rather than the doing steps only.
5.6 Group Work and presentation (20 points)
You will have two group work (5 persons in a group). You need to choose a topic and give a title, and identify your purposes and questions need to answer and then assign tasks of research contents to each group member. Each member does the research and make PPT to show his/her research process and results individually. Then group members come together to discuss and get answers to the questions. Present your research process and results to the class or a bigger group
5.7 Final exam (100 points)
Attentions: Assignments must be submitted by their due dates; no late work will be accepted. You may consult with other students in on how to tackle the Self-Test Exercises, but the work you turn in must be your own.
