ENVS 80.16 Urban Ecology
Urban ecology is the interdisciplinary study of urban and urbanizing systems from local to global scales. In this course, we will focus on the application ecological concepts and approaches to the urban ecosystem, and the linkages with social and economic factors that make cities socio-ecological systems. Using an ecosystem ecology perspective, we will explore how ecological processes are altered (or not) in urban and urbanizing landscapes. Topics include: landscape heterogeneity, nutrient dynamics, altered hydrology and climate, biodiversity, invasive species, organism adaptation, air, water and soil pollution, green infrastructure, environmental justice and urban agriculture.