FORESTS AND HUMANS: FROM THE MIDWEST TO MADAGASCAR

ENVIRST 251

Ecology is the study of relationships in the natural world, many of which are increasingly being altered by human activities. These disruptions modify the environment on a global scale, affecting populations and communities of plants, animals, and other organisms, and making Earth increasingly inhospitable for life, including for humans. Explore the natural world and humans' role within it, as both instigators and managers of global environmental change.

F&WECOL 550

Introduction to major abiotic and biotic factors that influence forest ecosystem composition, structure, and function. Reviews important processes that influence structure and function of forest ecosystems. Uses basic ecosystem concepts to elucidate influence of anthropogenic (including forest management) and natural disturbances on forest ecosystem structure and function.

BOTANY/GEOG 338

Explores how physical and biological factors affect the distribution of terrestrial biomes, ecosystem types, and biodiversity, as well as the role of disturbance and recent human activities on differences in past and modern day species distributions.

BOTANY 265

Are you awed by the amazing biodiversity found in rainforests and coral reefs? See these ecosystems first hand and decide if a career in tropical biology or international conservation is for you. Focuses on the ecology of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems, and their global importance. Learn the physical, chemical, and biological processes that make rainforests and coral reefs function, and the history of human dependence upon these ecosystems. Understand why both of these ecosystems currently are threatened and what actions can and must be taken to protect them.

ENVIRST/F&WECOL 100

Ecology and conservation of a wide range of forests, from tropical rain and dry forests, boreal forests, to temperate forests, outside of the USA. The main threats to forests, and different strategies to solve conservation and sustainable management issues in international forestry. Trade-offs in forest conservation and management, resulting from different values that people place on forests, issues in equity and equality in access to forest resources. The role of forests in climate change and extinction of species.