Restoring Resilient Ecosystems

Catalog description

Plant communities shape the microbial and animal communities present in a locale and provide a host of ecosystems services valuable to humans. How can scientists and practitioners ensure plant communities retain function long term and are resilient to environmental change? In this course students will explore the pre-Columbian human land-use practices that have shaped our current ecosystems, as well as modern considerations of genetic provenance and functional traits of plants selected for restoration efforts. Students will also analyze resent restoration efforts and communicate with practitioners and restoration scientists, such that they leave with a list of best practices.