Urban Ecology

Catalog description

This course will provide students with a broad overview of the field of urban ecology. We will address what urban ecology is and investigate the process of urbanization. We will explore differences between urban and non-urban ecosystems and how ‘ecosystem function’ differs between the two. We will also discuss how structures such as individual species, alien species, and species richness respond to urbanization. This class will include the human aspect of urbanization. Specifically, we will explore human-wildlife interactions in urban environments, and how human health and wellbeing are influenced by urban ecosystems. As urban environments continue to grow, it is important to understand how best to integrate their complexities into the field of ecology and how best to conserve the biodiversity contained within these systems.