Description
The urban environment is characterized by highly altered landscapes and ecosystem function, and requires a specialized approach to its ecological study. Urban Ecology explores the distinctive human-generated ecological conditions and processes that typify urban environments, and presents evaluative methods unique to these highly-altered ecosystems. Course topics include: urban microclimates; water, carbon and nutrient cycles in the urban setting; urban vegetation; urban wildlife; urban soils; aquifer recharge and subsistence; and urban water and air quality. After gaining an understanding of how urban ecosystems function, students will explore current management techniques and policies which work to mitigate the adverse effects of altered landscapes on urban ecosystems.