ENVS-375 Urban Ecology
More than half of the world's population now lives in cities. Although urban ecological systems are some of the world's most altered by human activity, they support diverse communities of plants and animals, provide necessary ecosystem services, and are essential in ensuring access to nature for human residents of cities. In this course, we will conceptualize cities as intricate social-ecological systems in which ecological functioning and human well-being interact in complex ways. Over the course of the semester, we will examine commonly used methods and frameworks in the field of urban ecology, explore the impacts of urbanization and human activity on abiotic and biotic structures and processes, and consider questions related to human well-being in cities. We will use reading discussions, case studies, and activities to investigate these concepts.
Offered
Fall, Spring