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JORD210 Dynamic Modelling in the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere System

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:Attila Nemes

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk

Limits of class size:15

Course frequency:Annual

Nominal workload:250 hours.

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in Autumn parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Autumn parallel.

About this course

The course will introduce key concepts underlying process modeling in the soil-plant-atmosphere system through object-oriented programming in Vensim and the use of the FAO Aquacrop simulation model. Aquacrop will be used to demonstrate the importance and knowhow of model parameterization, model calibration and validation and parameter sensitivity analysis. The students will use case study exercises and develop model scenarios (e.g. climate change, irrigation scheduling, soil tillage effects, etc.) and learn to interpret model results and their inherent uncertainties. In the second half of the course students will be introduced to a greater pool of numerical simulation models in order to understand how different model types include different additional components and address various other types of processes at different spatial and temporal scales (e.g. biogeochemical processes, soil erosion events, catchment scale water (re-)distribution, global-scale land-surface interactions, etc.). The course is designed to equip environmental science students with stronger computational background and strengthen the environmental science background of students in science and technology studies.

Learning outcome

At the end of the course students will have obtained the following knowledge and skills:

Knowledge

Students will:

  1. understand key concepts behind process-based 1D soil-plant-atmosphere models,
  2. be able to determine quantitative causal connections in the soil-plant-atmosphere system,
  3. present and interpret model sensitivity and scenario analyses,
  4. understand the conceptual differences between various model types presented during the course that work on different spatial or temporal scales or have a different focus than plant growth (e.g. erosion, nutrient loss, etc.).

Skills

Students will be able to:

  1. prepare input and validation data for the FAO Aquacrop model,
  2. present and interpret a modeling case,
  3. perform, present and interpret data- and/or parameterization scenarios (i.e. uncertainty or sensitivity analyses),
  4. become functional users of the FAO Aquacrop model.
  • Learning activities
    Lectures and exercises (computer lab). 4h each week
  • Teaching support

    1. Introductory lectures

    2. Hand-outs and exercises

    3. Supervision during class by the teachers

    In addition to the regular meeting hours, staff will be available for advice during office hours.

  • Prerequisites
    JORD100.
  • Assessment method

    One assignment.

    Grading scale: Pass / Not passed.



    Assignment Grading: Passed / Not Passed Written hand-in 3 Grading: Passed / Not Passed
  • Examiner scheme
    The external examinator evaluates the assignment.
  • Mandatory activity
    Participation (80%) in class.
  • Teaching hours
    Lectures and exercises will take place in the computer lab. 4 hours each week.
  • Preferential right
    B-MILJØ, M-MILJØ.
  • Reduction of credits
    Students that have exams in JORD201 Process Modelling in Soil Water and Plant Systems and JORD251, Soil Classification will get at reduction in ECTS credits of five and two respectively
  • Admission requirements
    Special requirements in Science