ESM 101 Environmental Sciences I: Natural Systems

An introduction to environmental issues with a focus on the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem function. Ecosystems are the functional units of the environment and are important for maintaining healthy environmental systems. People rely on many services from a healthy environment so understanding the structure and function of healthy ecosystems is important for maintaining the services provided by natural systems. Topics covered: Overview of major environmental issues, ecosystem structure, ecosystem services, fragmentation, habitat islands, common pool resources, ecosystem resilience, environmental worldviews, and ecosystem management. A key aspect of a healthy, functioning ecosystem is biodiversity, so this will be an issue of focus throughout this course and lab.