PBIO 5380 - Soil Properties and Ecosystem Processes

Understand the ecological significance of abiotic properties and biotic processes that mediate the composition, function, and heterogeneity of ecosystems. Topics include: basic soil physical, chemical, and biological properties; mechanisms that drive productivity and decomposition; biogeochemical cycles; comparison of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems; trophic dynamics. Synthesis will involve how human activities alter ecosystem dynamics. Laboratories will emphasize analyzing soil and vegetation for metrics of ecosystem productivity and composition. Data from the lab will be used to investigate the influence of soil and plants on ecosystem-level processes.

Requisites

Credit Hours: 4.0
Repeat/Retake Information: May not be retaken.

Lecture/Lab Hours: 2.0 lecture, 4.0 laboratory

Eligible grades: A-F,WP,WF,FN,FS,AU,I