GV2WES: Water in the Earth System

Module code: GV2WES

Module provider: Geography and Environmental Science; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Andrew Wade , email: a.j.wade@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module aim is to provide subject-specific knowledge on the topic of water in the Earth System. The purpose is to provide an introductory and exemplar systemic understanding of the connections, through water, between the abiotic and biotic components of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, pedosphere and biosphere. Where relevant these relationships will be considered within the Drivers, Pressures, State, Impact, Response (DPSIR) Framework to support the systems thinking approach to complex, interacting systems, and finding solutions to the issues faced.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate, through analysis, a systemic understanding of fundamental concepts and processes operating in the Earth System centred on water and its relationship to life, namely the interactions within and between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, pedosphere and biosphere.
2. Evaluate the importance of temporal and spatial scales for comprehending natural and anthropogenic impacts on the water environment, and related interaction and feedback within ecosystems and the wider environment.
3. Apply the academic literature to support critical discussions of pertinent environmental and sustainable development issues focused on water and its role in ecosystems.

Module content

Principles and processesÌý

• Water, carbon and energy
• Soil water availability and transpiration
• Water movement in the landscape
• Mid-semester break
• Groundwater and CROPWAT practical
• Groundwater – surface water interactions
• Water, biogeochemistry and ecology

Ecosystem change and management (including further depth on key processes). Exact content will vary from year to year but is likely to include case studies for some of the following:

• The Driver Pressure State Impact Response Framework and Systems Thinking
• Case Study 1: Upland ecosystems: stream and lake acidification
• Case Study 2: Lowland and lake ecosystems: eutrophication and the ecological response
• Lake ecosystem practical (Group 1)
• Lake ecosystem practical (Group 2)

Ìý

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Principles and processes: Mini-lectures and interactive sessions to describe the interactions between water and the Earth system and the key hydrological processes. Practical work (i.e., complete answers to a workbook and attend a seminar to discuss) consolidates knowledge. Engage with in-class PC classes and quizzes and formative assessment to help consolidate knowledge

Ecosystem change and management (including key processes): Lecture to introduce each ecosystem setting, the key drivers, pressures, system (process), impact and response. Follow-up seminar to deepen process and case study knowledge, and a practical at the Whiteknights Lakes and in the laboratory focused on the assessment of trophic status. This practical consolidates knowledge from the consideration of lake ecosystems in the previous week.

Study hours

At least 31 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered