ZA216 Global change in polar research

Faculty of Science
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Filip Hrbáček, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Kamil Láska, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Daniel Nývlt, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Daniel Nývlt, Ph.D.
Department of Geography – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. Daniel Nývlt, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Geography – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Prerequisites
The course is specifically for master students of physical geography, and global changes. The basic knowledge of geology, geomorphology, pedology, meteorology, climatology, glaciology and ecology is expected.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Polar Regions (the Arctic and Antarctica) are currently strongly affected by ongoing climate change. Thus, they represent geographically best areas, where the impact of climate change on different parts of natural environment could be assessed. The students will comprehend specific environment of Polar Regions and interactions of climate and individual parts of the landscape including the biosphere. They will learn the current knowledge and methods based on newest cutting edge scientific papers.
Learning outcomes
The students will be able after finishing of this course: - to describe geological evolution of both Polar Regions and reasons for current climate both in the Arctic and in Antarctica, - to understand the interaction of atmospheric and oceanic circulation and their effect of the climatic conditions of both Polar Regions, - to understand the impact of changing climate of different parts of the landscape, such as glaciers, permafrost, active layers, streams, lakes, soils and biota.
Syllabus
  • 1. Definition of Polar Regions, their description and basic physical geography, 2. Astronomic forcings and their reflection in Polar Regions, 3. Geological evolution of the Arctic and Antarctica, 4. Climate of Polar Regions - energetic balance of the Earth's surface, water balance, baric field and atmoshepric circulation, 5. Climate Change in Polar Regions on different timescales, 6. Mircoclimate of the active surface in Polar Regions, 7. Glaciers of Polar Regions and their ongoing changes including research methods of their assessment, 8. Permafrost in Polar Regions and their ongoing changes including research methods of their assessment, 9. Freshwater hydrology and oceanography of Polar Regions and their ongoing changes including research methods of their assessment, 10. Landscape and soils of Polar Regions and their ongoing changes including research methods of their assessment, 11. Polar ecosystems and their ongoing changes, 12. Anthropogenic changes of Polar Regions.
Literature
  • Specific books and papers will be recommended to individual lectures.
Teaching methods
Lectures, students' presentations on scientific topic
Assessment methods
Written exam conditioned by elaboration and presentation of the selected topic, participation in seminars mandatory
Language of instruction
Czech
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2025/ZA216