URBAN ECOLOGY
Photo by M. Cadenasso
(PLS 162; taught every Winter quarter). This class provides an introduction to the emerging field of urban ecology by exploring its development within the broader context of the science of ecology, evaluating the application of ecological concepts and approaches to the urban system, and examining how ecological processes are altered (or not) in urban and urbanizing landscapes. Though this course is taught from an ecological perspective, ideas from geography, hydrology, design, and the social sciences are integrated. The course aims to 1) familiarize students with the application of ecological concepts to the study of urban landscapes, 2) provide students with the tools needed to evaluate the effects of urbanization on ecological processes, and 3) give students an appreciation for the need for, and contribution of, different disciplines in order to understand urban systems as integrated social-ecological systems. No single textbook is used but weekly readings are selected from a variety of books and journal articles.
ECOSYSTEM AND LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY
Photo by M. Cadenasso
(PLS163; Co-taught with Dr. Valerie Eviner every Winter quarter). Scientific studies often focus on certain parts of our ecological systems, but these parts need to be integrated in order to understand and manage a complex and changing world. In this course, we explore local- to global- controls over water, carbon, nutrients, energy, and organisms, emphasizing how they are mediated by interactions among biotic, abiotic, and human factors. In particular, we focus on whole-system function, and how this changes over space and time, and in response to human activities. This is an advanced ecology class and is content heavy. Students are expected to complete a quarter-long project in which they become experts in a specific biome and understand how ecological processes in that biome may shift with global change. Comparison among biomes is expected through discussion in class with colleagues. This project requires a deep synthesis of primary literature.
URBAN FORESTRY
(ENH 100; Co-Taught with Dr. Astrid Volder, Fall quarter, odd years). This class provides an introduction to urban forestry by exploring its development within the United States, evaluating the application of ecological concepts and approaches to the urban system, and examining management of urban forests from an arboricultural and ecosystem services point of view. Understanding the urban forest as an ecological system requires integration across multiple disciplines. Urban forestry includes aspects of city planning, resource management, and risk assessment, as well as applied horticultural concepts such as the planting, care and protection of urban trees. Though this course will be taught from an ecological perspective, ideas from horticulture, geography, hydrology, design and planning, and the social sciences will be integrated. The course aims to 1) familiarize students with the concept of all urban trees as a common resource and liability, 2) provide students with the practical tools needed to make an urban forest tree inventory and valuation, 3) give students experience at developing potential interventions to maximize ecological outcomes while at the same time meeting the goals of multiple stakeholders within the urban matrix. Students conduct field research in teams, collect and analyze data, and write reports to assess their particular field site.
RIPARIAN ECOLOGY
Last taught Spring 2013
In this graduate seminar, students explored diverse topics related to understanding the structure and function of riparian zones across systems and scales. Riparian zones, as boundaries between terrestrial and aquatic systems, are distinct structural and functional features of landscapes. They have been recognized as “hotspots” of biological and chemical activity, and are commonly considered to function as “filters” that prevent nutrient export from the terrestrial system into adjacent receiving waters. In many systems, particularly semi-arid and arid systems, the riparian zone may also provide distinct habitat for plants and animals. The importance of riparian zones has fueled a large body of research that spans ecology and hydrology among other disciplines. Understanding how the structure and function of riparian zones vary across systems and scales is necessary not only to inform management and restoration efforts, but also to understand integrated landscapes.
In this graduate seminar, students explored diverse topics related to understanding the structure and function of riparian zones across systems and scales. Riparian zones, as boundaries between terrestrial and aquatic systems, are distinct structural and functional features of landscapes. They have been recognized as “hotspots” of biological and chemical activity, and are commonly considered to function as “filters” that prevent nutrient export from the terrestrial system into adjacent receiving waters. In many systems, particularly semi-arid and arid systems, the riparian zone may also provide distinct habitat for plants and animals. The importance of riparian zones has fueled a large body of research that spans ecology and hydrology among other disciplines. Understanding how the structure and function of riparian zones vary across systems and scales is necessary not only to inform management and restoration efforts, but also to understand integrated landscapes.
HUMAN DOMINATED ECOSYSTEMS
Last taught Winter 2011 with Louise Jackson, Dustin Herrmann and Tim Bowles
This student-organized and student-driven seminar explored the complexity of human-dominated ecosystems and various theories and frameworks that could be useful in guiding research and stimulating change in these systems. We started with the assumption that social and ecological systems are deeply intertwined and addressed contemporary environmental and social challenges requiring their integration.
This student-organized and student-driven seminar explored the complexity of human-dominated ecosystems and various theories and frameworks that could be useful in guiding research and stimulating change in these systems. We started with the assumption that social and ecological systems are deeply intertwined and addressed contemporary environmental and social challenges requiring their integration.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
Last taught Winter 2008 with Mara Evans
The main objective of this graduate seminar was (1) to gain a better understanding of environmental justice and evaluate how science can contribute to its principles and (2) to better understand how environmental justice can inform ecological theory. We used the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and primary literature to inform our discussions and addressed global and local environmental and ecological questions (e.g. climate change, sustainable living, public health, etc.) to fuel our discussions.
The main objective of this graduate seminar was (1) to gain a better understanding of environmental justice and evaluate how science can contribute to its principles and (2) to better understand how environmental justice can inform ecological theory. We used the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and primary literature to inform our discussions and addressed global and local environmental and ecological questions (e.g. climate change, sustainable living, public health, etc.) to fuel our discussions.