Terrestrial Ecosystems

3 credits

This course will examine factors regulating distribution and functioning of major temperate terrestrial ecosystems, and some tropical ecosystems, as well as their ecosystem processes. Factors: climate, geology, surficial deposits, soils, microorganisms, flora, fauna. Processes: disturbances (fire, wind, anthropic), succession, productivity and biomass, carbon capture and sequestration. Field trip (2 days) on 2nd weekend of semester. Laboratories. ***Prerequisite: BIOL 275 or permission of the dept. head***