FOREST ECOLOGY

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: BOTANY/BIOLOGY 130 , ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY/BOTANY 152 , or graduate/professional standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness + Lab Breadth - Biological Science Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe global and local biogeographical regions as well as the major palaeoecological events (e.g., continental drift and climate change) responsible for their development. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Explain how environmental factors influence net photosynthesis, ecosystem productivity, and nutrient cycling. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Explain how population and community dynamics of plants are influenced by disturbance, stress, and species interactions. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Explain natural and anthropogenic factors that influence soil types, mineral nutrient availability, and plant community characteristics. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Explain trade-offs involved in biodiversity conservation, economic development, and mitigation of climate change. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Discuss the value of forests (ecological, economical, and cultural) and the threats they face. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 7. Evaluate and synthesize primary scientific literature to analyze complex ecological processes and interactions in forest ecosystems, and apply these findings to develop evidence-based strategies for addressing conservation challenges, climate change, and sustainable forest management. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe global and local biogeographical regions as well as the major palaeoecological events (e.g., continental drift and climate change) responsible for their development. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Explain how environmental factors influence net photosynthesis, ecosystem productivity, and nutrient cycling. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Explain how population and community dynamics of plants are influenced by disturbance, stress, and species interactions. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Explain natural and anthropogenic factors that influence soil types, mineral nutrient availability, and plant community characteristics. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Explain trade-offs involved in biodiversity conservation, economic development, and mitigation of climate change. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Discuss the value of forests (ecological, economical, and cultural) and the threats they face. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 7. Evaluate and synthesize primary scientific literature to analyze complex ecological processes and interactions in forest ecosystems, and apply these findings to develop evidence-based strategies for addressing conservation challenges, climate change, and sustainable forest management. Audience: Graduate