Modelling Flow and Transport in the Critical Zone

A specialisation in the Master of Environmental Sciences, offered by AG Theoretical Ecohydrology and AG Soil Science.

Abstract   Earth's Critical Zone is the near-surface part of the environment, extending from the top of the canopy to the aquifer. It is governed by a variety of complex, interacting processes which sustain life on Earth, and it is closely intertwined with human society through issues such as land use and climate change. A quantitative understanding of the fluxes of water, energy, solutes and gases is fundamental to sustainable land use and the development of climate adaptation strategies. In this specialisation, students learn the conceptual and mathematical description of the transport processes of water, energy and substances in the Critical Zone. Crucial aspects are physical-chemical fundamentals, the translation into mathematical models and the solution of equations or systems of equations using numerical methods. The focus is on transport processes in soil, groundwater, and vegetation. The course is rounded off with methods of statistical parameter estimation, monitoring the soil water balance in the field and the fundamentals and applications of urban ecohydrology. The aim of the specialisation is to enable students to understand process-based models and apply them in research and practice. Typical professional fields are research (universities, authorities, companies) and consulting (companies, NGOs).