Biogeography

Geography 306

Instructor: Deanna H. McCay

Syllabus

Readings

Data

Fire Info

This course focuses on the factors that influence plant and animal distributions at scales ranging from the individual species to the biome.  To set the stage for discussing the geography of life, we first examine the earth’s physical setting.  This leads to a consideration of the fundamental processes determining plant and animal distributions.  The interactions among these processes will also be examined, thereby introducing the concept of the ecosystem.  The functions of an ecosystem are discussed with focuses on energy and matter flow, population dynamics, succession and disturbance.  The culmination of these processes is reflected in broad-scale patterns.  We will also explore the impact of past climates and plate tectonics on present-day patterns.  Finally, because humans and the environment are inextricably linked, this course will explore several impacts humans have had on the landscape, including species introductions and extinction.

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