World Biogeography (211-0-20)

Instructors

John Crandall Hudson
847/491-2855
Locy Hall #104

Meeting Info

555 Clark B01: Mon, Wed, Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

Geography 211 develops an integrated approach to studying the world's ecosystems--what they are like, where they are located, and how humans have influenced them over time. The first two weeks cover the meteorology necessary for understanding the local and global systems of atmospheric circulation. This leads to the Koppen climate model which predicts the location of climate types. With climate as a basis, we then turn to the study of soils and vegetation. Soils are strongly influenced by climate and parent material and they vary in their ability to store water and nutrients. Processes of plant growth and decay respond directly to climate and soil productivity which leads to biomass production. All of the biogeographic processes are then used to derive expected patterns of natural vegetation around the world. Local-scale variations are brought in as modifications of the global model. Discrepancies between the predicted and what is actually found in a particular place generally reflect the role of human impacts. Tropical forests, savannas, deserts, grasslands, temperate broadleaf forests, needleleaf boreal forests, and tundra are all interpretable in terms of the physical processes developed in this course.

Evaluation Method

Homework exercises based on readings and notes that apply principles learned in the course to specific data; these assignments count 25% of the grade. Two midterms count a total of 40%. Final exam counts 35%. All homework assignments and exams posted online and turned in online, all on Canvas.

Class Materials (Required)

Homework assignments and readings will be posted on Canvas. The readings will also be available for purchase from Kinkos in paper format.

Class Attributes

Natural Sciences Distro Area