Climate Change and Agriculture
Objectives
To understand how Agriculture is extremely vulnerable to climate change threatening global food security.
To recognize the main constraints to the food production.
To be able to develop critical suggestions to mitigate the injurious effects of climate change
To be able to acquire the necessary skills to introduce new and more adaptive crops.
General characterization
Code
11373
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
Fernando Henrique da Silva Reboredo
Hours
Weekly - 4
Total - 56
Teaching language
Português
Prerequisites
The students must have basic knowledgements of plant biology, plant physiology and biochemistry
Bibliography
1. IPCC. 2012. Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation. Special Report of the IPCC, Field C.B. et al. (Eds.), Cambridge University Press, New York, 582 pg.,ISBN: 978-1-107-02506-6
2. Dinar, A. & Mendelsohn, R.O. editors, 2011. Handbook on Climate Change and Agriculture, Edward Elgar Publishing, 515 pg., ISBN: 978 1 84980 116 4.
3. Wreford, A., Moran, D. & Adger, N. 2010. Climate Change and Agriculture. Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation: OECD Publishing, 136 pg., ISBN: 978 92 64 08686 9
4. IFPRI. 2009. International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, Agriculture and Climate Change: An agenda for negotiation in Copenhagen, A 2020 vision for food, agriculture, and the environment. G.C. Nelson ed., 28 pg., ISBN: 9780896296589
5. Dinar, A., Benhin, J., Hassan, R. & Mendelsohn, R.O. (edit), 2008. Climate Change and Agriculture in Africa: Impact Assessment and Adaptation Strategies, Earthscan Publishers, 224 pg.,
Teaching method
Theoretical lectures are held using data-show and e-learning methods (use of the Moodle platform). Theoretical-practical sessions consist of analysis and interpretation of case studies. The projects and/or works begin in theoretic-practical sessions through online research about the issues related with the Curricular Unit (CU), existing thereafter a continuous orientation by the Responsible. Students will have access to all the bibliography and materials (power-points, PDFs) used in the CU which will be put on a web-platform. The theoretical and theoretic-practical lectures are complemented with personalized attention in Tutorial classes, although the Responsible by the CU is always available for doubts and guidance aspects.
Evaluation method
Continuous assessment in two components: theoretical (1 individual Test - 50% of the final classification) and theoretical-practical: (work development and oral presentation in ppoint and discussion - 40%+10% of the final classification).
Final rating: (0.50*Test) + (0.40*Written work) + (0.10*Oral presentation and discussion of written work). Approval requires a minimum score of 9.5 (scale of 20 values) for each component (theoretical-practical and theoretical).
Students without approval in the continuous assessment will be submitted to exam. Rating equal to 0.5*Exam+0.5*classification of theoretical-practical. Approval with a minimum grade of 9.5 (scale of 20 values)
Subject matter
Earth history and climate changes. Glaciations, inter-glacial periods and climate optimum.
Climate change and increased occurrences of extreme events - droughts and floods.
Climate changes and predictive models. The role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The importance of climate in agricultural production – consequences of the increase of temperature, water deficit and carbon dioxide, among others GHG.
Evaluation of the climate change impacts at the global level. Effects on the yield crops and forestry.
Mitigation and adaptive strategies
The SIAM model and the predictable effects on Portugal mainland
Policy implications and future research needs
Programs
Programs where the course is taught: