| CODE | IES5130 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Earth Observation of Marine/Coastal Processes and Trends | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Institute of Earth Systems | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit outlines a number of different issues related to the monitoring of physical and biological processes and trends. It will address the science of earth observation, including basic principles and that of ocean data sources and inventories. Specific case studies will be present related to applications of remote sensing to study the air-sea interface. The study-unit will furthermore introduce the basic processes affecting ocean weather and climate, emphasizing on a broad understanding of the fundamental dynamics governing the motions and behavior of the atmosphere, and its interactions with the underlying ocean surfaces. In relation to this, the study-unit will also address the impacts of climate change on biological and physical oceanic component. The physical mechanisms by which climate change occurs will be explained, and the extent of changes in climate reviewed.. Additional topics will be covered dealing with the effects of climate change on habitats, ecosystems and natural resources. Such effects include ones brought about by changes in sea level, water temperature, water movement patterns, ocean acidification and the introduction of alien species to native habitats resulting from environmental change. An extensive review of coastal hazards and risks will also be provided by this study-unit. This type of risk will be explored via estimated vulnerabilities of coastlines and the type of hazards present. Case studies will allow an in-depth evaluation of a number of coastal hazards such as tsunamis, hurricanes, storm surges and sea-level rise. Hazards leading to marine pollution and its impacts on species and biotic communities, and on the marine environment in general will also be addressed. Specific case studies from the Mediterranean and the Maltese Islands will be used to illustrate the topics covered. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit aims to: • Develop an understanding of global climate cycles and atmospheric feedback cycles, and an appreciation of the scale and potential severity of climate change impacts; • Introduce fundamental concepts of Earth Observation, with an understanding of the basic skills to interpret and manage remotely sensed data, and their applications in relation to the study of the oceans; • Develop an understanding of basic ocean weather science, including elements of ocean forecasting, together with an introduction to the applications and techniques encompassing ocean weather; • Identify fundamentals about environmental hazards and risk in relation to vulnerability and its relationship to human behavior, with a special emphasis on coastal and ocean hazards; • Explain the relationship between the littoral and the hinterland, and the processes that operate across the landscape matrix, with a particular emphasis on the notion of Integrated River Basin Management; • Explain the changes in the occurrence and distribution of species, habitats and ecosystems resulting from changes in sea level, water temperature, water movement patterns, ocean acidification and the introduction of alien species to native habitats, resulting from climate change; and its impact on economic sectors including tourism and fisheries; • Provide an understanding of marine and coastal pollution; • Demonstrate and develop students' awareness of the various potential applications of remote sensing in relation to Ocean Governance. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • Describe the role of feedback cycles in the atmosphere, the mechanisms of climate change including the role of greenhouse gases, and the strategies that may reduce the rate and impact of climate change on the ocean; • Define and explain various fundamental terms/concepts relating to earth observation, and describe various applications of remote sensing for ocean science; • Comprehend the relationship between ocean and atmosphere dynamics, explain the elements that feed into ocean analysis and forecasting, and to be able to explain the role of ocean weather as an integral part of ocean management; • Explain basic concepts of ocean hazards, risk, vulnerability and mitigation, be able to recall and review hazards having an impact on the coast, be able to list global and regional regulatory frameworks concerned with risk reduction, and to explore concepts of risk identification, assessment, prioritization and control of the probability and/or impact of hazards; • Explain concepts and definitions concerning coastal and marine pollution. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • Critically appraise the various viewpoints concerning global climate change;• Critically evaluate remote sensing and ocean observation tools as means to study ocean problems and to assist in planning, risk analysis and resource utilization; • Use the scientific method in ocean weather and climate analysis, and to assess relationship between global patterns and local ocean conditions; • Use of remote sensing & GIS as a tool for coastal and ocean management; • Integrate theory with applied problems concerning the potential effects of climate change on marine resources, and to apply this knowledge to understand how they can be affected by climate change; • Integrate theory with applied problems concerning the potential effects of pollution on the coastal/marine environment. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Chuvieco, E., 2008. Earth Observation of Global Change: The Role of Satellite Remote Sensing in Monitoring the Global Environment. 1st Edition. ISBN: 978-1402063572 - Lillesand, T.M., 2008. Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation. Wiley. 6th Edition. ISBN: 9780470052457 - Jensen, J.R., 2007. Remote sensing of the environment: an earth resource perspective. Pearson Education. 2nd Edition. ISBN: 978-81-317-1680-9 - Burroughs, W.J., 2007. Climate Change: A Multidisciplinary Approach. Cambridge University Press. 2nd Edition. ISBN: 0-521-56771-8 - Natural Hazards and Disasters. Second edition 2009. Donald Hyndman; David Hyndman Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning Supplementary Readings: - Barry, R. G. 2003. Atmosphere, Weather and Climate. Routledge. 9th Edition. ISBN: 0-415-27171-1 - Dessler, A.E., 2006. The science & politics of global climate change: a guide to the debate. Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 978-0-521-53941-8 - Li, D., Shan, J. & Gong, J., 2009. Geospatial Technology for Earth Observation. 1st Edition. ISBN: 978-1-4419-0050-0 |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Seminar | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Victor Axiak Charles Galdies (Co-ord.) Anthony Galea |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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