Rainforest Ecology

This course introduces structure and function of tropical rainforests including floral and faunal components. In this course, students explore the ecological processes that maintain biodiversity and the evolutionary processes that generate that biodiversity. We examine the dynamic relationships between plants and animals and how those processes have influenced or are influenced by the current landscape. On a larger scale, we investigate tropical vegetation patterns along climatic gradients and discuss mechanisms for preserving and restoring tropical ecosystems.