Honors

HNRS 146-01: Endangered Ecosystems

Many of Earth’s ecosystems are stressed and degraded as a result of human activities. Systems ecology is the process of evaluating the biotic and abiotic features of ecosystems and stressors and manipulating those features toward a defined goal, such as conservation or restoration. In this course, students will apply the scientific aspects of systems ecology to simulate and manage a particularly stressed ecosystem.Students will gain an understanding of systems ecology and will learn how ecological communities function within ecosystems and landscapes.After establishing this foundation, students will lead the exploration of some of our planet’s greatest ecological systems.Lab sessions will give the students an opportunity to construct a dynamic simulation of their own ecosystem and to apply ecological modeling as a management tool.

Spring Term: 2008

Credits: 4

Fulfills: GE Requirement in Science (Y) and Quantitative Requirement (Q)

Cross-listed: ENVS-274-01

Meeting times: 10:30-11:20 MWF; 1:30-4:20 R (Lab)

Instructor: Doug Spieles

Open to: First-years/Sophomores/Jrs/Srs