Ecosystems of California

This course surveys the diversity, structure and functioning of California’s ecosystems through time and the ways they have influenced and responded to human activities and stewardship. Topics include ecosystem drivers such as climate, soils, and land use history; human and ecological prehistory of the state; comparative marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystem dynamics; and managed ecosystems such as range, fisheries and agriculture in California. The course also emphasizes important skill

• Describe the characteristic components of California’s major ecosystems and the processes that give rise to and maintain this character.
• Describe the tradeoffs between the human benefits derived from California’s ecosystems and their degradation.
• Analyze and evaluate tradeoffs between the human benefits derived from California’s ecosystems and their degradation.