Dr. Roel Boumans, University of Maryland - College Park

Description

This short-course will explore the use of regional models for assessing ecosystem health and services provided by ecosystems to people. Participants will learn to use STELLA modeling software to simulate different scenarios at a local or regional scale. The course will cover the theoretical basis of assessing ecosystem health and ecosystem services, including economic, social, physical and biological components of the environment, as well as practical ways for building models with available data. It also will explore the use of simulation modeling for understanding how landscapes and ecosystems change over time.

Pre-requisites for enrolling

Students must have a B.A. with a 3.0GPA, and either be employed as an educator, or be a graduate student at UMBC.

Outcomes

1. A deeper understanding of urban ecosystems from historical and contemporary perspectives.
2. Familiarity with current approaches to modeling and valuing ecosystems, ecosystem health and ecosystem services.
3. Ability to use STELLA modeling software to understand important aspects of the local or regional environment.
4. An understanding of ecological economics and land use decision making.
5. Familiarity with data sources and collection techniques for building realistic and useful models of land use and ecosystem health.
6. Familiarity with hydrology and its implications for modeling regional landscapes.
7. An appreciation for the ways that land use and human valuation of the environment change over time.
8. Ideas and concrete plans for modeling projects to carry out with students in and about their local ecosystems.
9. Motivation and commitment to implement their plans in their teaching.
10. Increased appreciation for the local environment as a source of inspiration and a site for teaching and learning.
11. A sense of connection to others - teachers and scientists - involved in teaching and learning about urban ecosystems.

Plans for meetings

1. Summer 2002: The class will meet for three days during the summer. The first day will be an introduction to STELLA modeling, and to key ideas concerning regional hydrology, ecosystem health and ecosystem services. In the second and third days, students will build their own models and carry out the guided and semi-independent analyses of local ecosystems.
2. October 2002: Meet for follow-up session.
3. Fall 2002: Meet for final presentations and wrap-up.

Required readings

Voinov, Alexy, Costanza, Robert, et. al., 1998. Patuxent landscape model: integrated ecological economic modeling of a watershed. Environmental Modeling and Software 14: 473-491.

Costanza, Robert & Mageau, Michael, 1999. What is a Healthy Ecosystem? Aquatic Ecology 33:105 115. Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Assignments

1. Reading review and critique assignment. Due on the second day of class in the summer. Each student will select a reading and prepare an assignment about that reading that might be given to a high school biology or environmental science class. Along with the assignment will be a scoring rubric that would be used for grading. Worth 15% of grade.
2. Research report. Due two weeks after the summer classes. Students will select one of the studies conducted during the summer course to write up as a scientific report, including an introduction summarizing the background ideas and hypotheses, the methods used, analysis and summary of results, and discussion. More instructions will be provided. Worth 20% of grade.
3. Reflective journals. Due at final meeting in the fall. Participants will keep a journal during the class to record their reflections about each reading and each activity, both as a learner and as an educator. These will be used during class discussions in the fall sessions. Worth 15% of grade.
4. Instructional plan. Due at final meeting in the fall. Each participant will negotiate a project that will be useful to them in their teaching, building a plan for instruction around a student modeling project. Worth 30% of grade.
5. Active participation in class. Students are expected to participate actively in all aspects of the class. Worth 20% of grade.

See assignment requirements.