Course Description
We are currently living in a time where city residents outnumber people who live in rural areas. In addition, the projected expansion of human population growth is largely predicted to occur in urban areas. Urban Ecology is an interdisciplinary and emerging field of research focused on the consequences of urbanization on ecological processes.
In addition to a physically transformed natural landscape, cities are unique from other systems in terms of hydrology, temperature, noise, air quality and many other abiotic factors. In this course, we will investigate the consequences of urban constructs on ecological systems.
Using current literature, we will discuss factors such as nutrient cycling, organismal behavior and phenology, disease, and the drivers and patterns of biodiversity in urban systems. We will also talk about green spaces, urban planning, and the future of these expanding landscapes.
This is an upper-level reasoning course designed primarily for students majoring in biology (ecology track) and environmental studies.
Prerequisite
Fundamentals of Ecology (BIOL-UA 63/ENVST-UA 325).