BIOL 5490 - Ecosystem Ecology

This lecture course examines the biological, physical, and chemical factors that control cycling of elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus within terrestrial ecosystems. Elemental cycles are a critical component of ecosystem function and vital to the stability of ecosystem processes. Topics include the climate system, energy and water balance, carbon and nutrient cycling, plant and ecosystem production, soils and decomposition, trophic relations, fire ecology, land use change, and global biogeochemical cycles. It is recommended that BIOL 1210; BIOL 3510 or CHEM 3510; PHYS 2010 or 2110 or 2210 or 3210 be completed prior to or concurrently with taking this course.