Ecology of Streams and Rivers
Offered every fall - Example syllabus
This course provides an overview of ecological processes in flowing waters and their application to conservation and management of these ecosystems, and is intended for both PhD and MEM students. Presentation of basic scientific principles governing physical, chemical, and biological structure of streams will coincide with discussion of anthropogenic drivers of change as well as relevant policy and management tools. This structure is intended to provide greater integration of these topics than is typical for comparable courses, in which applied issues are addressed at the end of the course. Self-directed field and literature projects (in conjunction with the lab component of the course) will enable MEM and PhD students to tailor the course to better fit their needs.
This course provides an overview of ecological processes in flowing waters and their application to conservation and management of these ecosystems, and is intended for both PhD and MEM students. Presentation of basic scientific principles governing physical, chemical, and biological structure of streams will coincide with discussion of anthropogenic drivers of change as well as relevant policy and management tools. This structure is intended to provide greater integration of these topics than is typical for comparable courses, in which applied issues are addressed at the end of the course. Self-directed field and literature projects (in conjunction with the lab component of the course) will enable MEM and PhD students to tailor the course to better fit their needs.
Ecological Resilience and Ecosystem Management
Offered in Spring of odd years - Example Syllabus
What creates 'tipping points' in ecosystems? Which ecosystems have them? How can we know if a system is close to one and how can crossing of tipping points be avoided? This course will provide an introduction to the field of systems ecology, with a focus on concepts of resilience and stability and their application to the management of ecological systems. The course will begin with an basic introduction to core theoretical and mathematical concepts, then examine foundational case studies and more recent examples of multiple state ecosystems. The second half of the course will focus on empirical approaches to detecting thresholds and alternative states, and management approaches for avoiding and reversing regime shifts. Intended for both PhD and MEM students, the course does not require formal mathematical training; however, students will be expected to interpret mathematical concepts in the context of ecosystem behavior, and to read scientific literature with a strong theoretical component.
What creates 'tipping points' in ecosystems? Which ecosystems have them? How can we know if a system is close to one and how can crossing of tipping points be avoided? This course will provide an introduction to the field of systems ecology, with a focus on concepts of resilience and stability and their application to the management of ecological systems. The course will begin with an basic introduction to core theoretical and mathematical concepts, then examine foundational case studies and more recent examples of multiple state ecosystems. The second half of the course will focus on empirical approaches to detecting thresholds and alternative states, and management approaches for avoiding and reversing regime shifts. Intended for both PhD and MEM students, the course does not require formal mathematical training; however, students will be expected to interpret mathematical concepts in the context of ecosystem behavior, and to read scientific literature with a strong theoretical component.
Urban Ecology (ENV646)
To be offered Spring 2014 -Draft Syllabus
The world, both in terms of human population and land area, is becoming more and more urban, with over 80% of the US population and 50% of the world’s population living in cities. This class addresses how to understand these urban areas as ecological and socio-ecological systems. Central to this understanding is the recognition that humans are organisms, but ones with unique and important characteristics that influence the nature of their interactions with the environment. A second crucial concept to be addressed by the course is the distinction between the study of ecology in and ecology of cities. The former addresses how organisms (including humans) respond to and influence the physical and biological structure of cities; the latter address the role of cities within broader ecological phenomena including global biogeochemical cycles, patterns of organismal diversity and movement, and ecological and social responses to disturbances. This course will address both these aspects of urban ecology, through a theoretical lens of socio-ecological systems, in which humans and their actions are a component of, rather than a disturbance imposed on, ecological systems. We will learn to apply these theoretical and methodological tools to global, regional, and local urban issues, through lectures, readings from the primary scientific literature, group discussions, student presentations and writing assignments.
The world, both in terms of human population and land area, is becoming more and more urban, with over 80% of the US population and 50% of the world’s population living in cities. This class addresses how to understand these urban areas as ecological and socio-ecological systems. Central to this understanding is the recognition that humans are organisms, but ones with unique and important characteristics that influence the nature of their interactions with the environment. A second crucial concept to be addressed by the course is the distinction between the study of ecology in and ecology of cities. The former addresses how organisms (including humans) respond to and influence the physical and biological structure of cities; the latter address the role of cities within broader ecological phenomena including global biogeochemical cycles, patterns of organismal diversity and movement, and ecological and social responses to disturbances. This course will address both these aspects of urban ecology, through a theoretical lens of socio-ecological systems, in which humans and their actions are a component of, rather than a disturbance imposed on, ecological systems. We will learn to apply these theoretical and methodological tools to global, regional, and local urban issues, through lectures, readings from the primary scientific literature, group discussions, student presentations and writing assignments.
