The emergent structure and function of ecosystems are regulated by feedbacks between biological and physical systems from the microscopic to the global scale. We will study how ecosystems cycle carbon and nutrients and how the energy balance of ecosystems influences climate. We will also examine the role that humans play in managing, creating, and using services from ecosystems in our current era of rapid global change. Synthesizing these concepts, we consider the role of protected areas in preserving ecosystem functioning. Students will develop statistical skills working with authentic long-term ecosystem ecology datasets. Students in this course will develop independent data analysis projects that include scientific communication through presentations, writing, and visual displays of data.

This course has a required co-requisite Laboratory - BISC 307L/ES 307L.

Units: 1.25

Max Enrollment: 24

Crosslisted Courses: ES 307

Prerequisites: One of the following - BISC 201, BISC 202, BISC 209, BISC 210, BISC 247/ES 247, ES 220; or permission of the instructor.

Distribution Requirements: LAB - Natural and Physical Sciences Laboratory; NPS - Natural and Physical Sciences

Typical Periods Offered: Spring

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall; Not Offered; Spring

Notes: Wendy Judge Paulson '69 Ecology of Place Living Laboratory course.