Conservation

Introduction to Earth materials and processes. Topics include rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, Earth surface processes, Earth resources, geologic time, and Earth history. Laboratory work involves hands-on study of geologic materials, maps, and exercises pertaining to geologic processes.

Design of biological treatment processes. Topics include attached and suspended growth, aeration, anaerobic systems, process control and economics. Design projects included. Prerequisite: CEE161.

Theoretical and practical aspects of habitat restoration and mitigation. Design, implementation, and monitoring of restoration projects in local habitats. Collection of seed and cuttings, planting and maintenance presented. Control of exotics in natural areas discussed. Environmental ethics of restoration emphasized. Prerequisite or corequisite: Biological Sciences E106.

Critical examination of contemporary conservation issues in the American West, with particular attention to water in California, grazing on public lands, and species decline and extinctions. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences E106.

Design of biological treatment processes. Topics include attached and suspended growth, aeration, anaerobic systems, process control and economics. Design projects included. Prerequisite: CEE161.

The role of terrestrial processes in the Earth system. Provides an introduction to ecosystem processes that regulate the cycling of energy, water, carbon, and nutrients. Analysis of the impact of human activities. Prerequisite: Chemistry 1C.

Explores basic topics in ecology and evolutionary biology and applications to agriculture, conservation, environmental issues, and public health. Format involves discussion of scientific journal articles and other readings, with focus on learning to evaluate scientific evidence. Prerequisite or corequisite: Biological Sciences E106.

An examination of the interactions between plants and their environment. Emphasis on the underlying physiological mechanisms of plant function, adaptations and responses to stress, and the basis of the distribution of plants and plant assemblages across the landscape. Prerequisites: Biological Sciences E106 or Earth System Science 51 or 60A and 60C. Same as Earth System Science 168.

Biodiversity, history of human impacts, and conservation efforts are examined in the five Mediterranean-type ecosystems. The extent of remaining natural habitat, approaches to ecological habitat restoration, control of exotic species, and predicted consequences of global climate change are described. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences E106.