The
field of ecology is very dynamic and touches on many aspects of our lives; from
developing an appreciation of where we sit in nature to understanding the
forces that regulate interactions within and among species. Ecology is also a very synthetic
discipline. Ecologists seek to
understand how global weather patterns affect the distribution of organisms and
influence the patterns of interaction among them. Ecologists also are interested in how the physiology of
organisms has evolved to permit their persistence in a wide array of
environments. Some ecologists
focus on understanding how interactions within species regulate population
size, while others focus on interactions among species (plant pollinator to
predator prey). There also is
considerable interest among ecologists in how nutrients cycle through
communities and ecosystems and, in turn, how agriculture and the burning of
fossil fuel may affect these patterns, possibly altering patterns of species
interaction and, ultimately, the distribution of species. All this then is the heart of ecology.
By
understanding how the environmental context alters patterns of species
interactions, you will become a more informed citizen capable of assessing on
your own the merit of a wide range of theories and speculation that permeates
the media’s coverage of environmental problems. To aid you in this important goal, the course will focus on
helping you to develop the ability to think critically about ecological issues,
to process and analyze information, particularly graphical information, and to
present your conclusions clearly both orally and in writing.
Time
will not permit us to cover all the many facets of ecology in equivalent
depth. But we will strive to give
you a taste for all the many sub-disciplines that make up the field. We will draw heavily from our own
expertise and that of our colleagues both in the Biology Department and
beyond. We look forward to sharing
this journey of discovery with you.