Climate Studies (MCL) / MSc

Aims

Human activity is affecting the regional and global environment profoundly. Some of these changes are caused by the use of non-renewable resources (e.g. CO2 emissions), by the addition of elements (e.g. N-fertilizer), or by losses of habitat (land-use change) and the associated extinctions of species. Many of these human interventions now occur on a scale that change global biogeochemical cycles and therefore change climate and alters the way the earth system operate. These changes ultimately will affect our well-being. Fundamental to the Earth System Science approach is the need to emphasize relevant interactions between biological, chemical, physical and socio-economic processes that extend across spatial scales ranging from microns to the size of the Earth, over time scales ranging from milliseconds to billions of years and organizational scales ranging from individuals to nations. The Earth is viewed as a complex and dynamic entity involving land, air, water and life; there is no single process or phenomenon that occurs in complete isolation from other components. As an Earth system scientist, you will study these processes that regulate the quality of our environment.
Within the common part (30 credits) of the MEA curriculum (120 credits) you will get a comprehensive overview of the major reservoirs, processes and interactions regulating the Earth system. Specializations (66 - 72 credits) allow you to explore certain topics in depth by taking advanced courses and by conducting research during thesis work and internship. In addition, you are free to choose any other courses Specialization A:Terrestrial Ecosystems
Terrestrial ecosystems play a critical role in modulating the global carbon cycle, which have been severely disrupted by human activities. Increases in CO2, N2O and CH4 concentrations are now altering the climate system and directly affect the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems themselves. Research topics include: the potential for terrestrial ecosystems to absorb significant amounts of CO2; changes in vegetation composition and structure at different scales and interactions with climate; eutrophication of ecosystems; the role of geomicrobiological processes in biogeochemical cycles; and the impacts of global change on the hydrological cycle. Specialization B: Limnology and Oceanography.
Water covers 70% of the Earth's surface, and sets our planet apart from all other known planets. These vast amounts of water play an important role in the global climate, and are a source of proteins and harbor an impressive biodiversity. Insight in the functioning of freshwater ecosystems (limnology) and marine ecosystems (oceanography) is essential to protect the worlds' aquatic resources. The scope of this specialization is broadened through a cooperation with the UvA offering (ECTS): Aquatic Photosynthesis & Phytoplankton Ecology (6), Aquatic Toxicology (3), Tropical Marine Biology (3), Marine Zooplankton Identification (3), Physics & Chemistry in Aquatic Ecosystems (6), Benthic Ecology (3), and Case Studies in Water Management (3). Research topics include studies of fate and effects of nutrients and micropollutants, ecosystem stability, fisheries, biodiversity dynamics, climate change and ecosystem restoration.
Specialization C : Integrated assessment of global environmental change.
The pace, magnitude and spatial reach of human alterations of the Earth's land surface are unprecedented. Land-use and land-cover change is governed by local, regional and global needs for ecosystems' services (e.g. food, fiber, recreation and conservation). Such changes directly impact biotic diversity, contributes to climate change, are a major source of land degradation. Consequences of such global environmental change nowadays alter ecosystem services and affect the ability of biological systems to support human needs. Global change determines, in part, the vulnerability of places and people to climatic, economic or socio-political perturbations. Research topics include climate-change scenarios, impacts assessments, ecosystem function analysis and land-use modeling.

Specializations

- Terrestrial Ecosystems;
- Limnology and Oceanography;
- Integrated Assessment of Global Environmental Change

Programme coordinator

Dr ir Marcel R. Hoosbeek
Phone: 0317-(4)84109
Email: marcel.hoosbeek@wur.nl

Study adviser(s)

Dr Marcel B.J. Meinders
E-mail: marcel.meinders@wur.nl
Phone: 0317-(4)85906

Study association

Pyrus