BIOEE 4780
Ecosystem Biology and Global Change
Examines ecosystem structure, carbon and energy flow, and nutrient cycles, and how these processes respond to environmental variations. Reviews classic ecosystem experiments, and considers effects on ecosystems from human-driven environmental changes, such as climate change, air pollution, excess nitrogen use, and land-use change.
Topics
- Students will distinguish the theory and measurement of central processes in ecosystem ecology, across a range of ecosystems.
- Students will be able to predict the response of these processes to variation in biotic and abiotic factors, such as light, water, nutrient supply, community structure, and disturbance.
- Students will be able to apply understanding of ecosystem processes to predict the impacts of human-accelerated environmental change on ecosystem processes and function.
- Students will be able to apply a quantitative approach to ecosystem biology.
- Students will be able to critically evaluate literature on ecosystem ecology through regular reading assignments throughout the term.
- Students will synthesize information from the primary literature to address a central question of interest in ecosystem ecology.
Official roster learning outcomes
Prerequisites & course information
BIOEE 1610 or equivalent.
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027