California Ecosystems: Natural Diversity and Human Effects
Explore California's diverse ecosystems, their functioning, and human interactions in this comprehensive course.
Explore California's diverse ecosystems, their functioning, and human interactions in this comprehensive course.
This course provides a comprehensive survey of California's diverse ecosystems, examining their structure, functioning, and interactions with human activities over time. Led by Professor Erika Zavaleta, the course covers a wide range of topics including ecosystem drivers such as climate and soils, the prehistory of California's ecology, and the dynamics of marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems. It also addresses managed ecosystems like rangelands, fisheries, and agriculture. The course emphasizes the development of important scientific skills, including data collection, natural history observation, and scientific writing. Students will gain a deep understanding of California's unique ecological landscape and the complex relationships between human activities and ecosystem health.
4.7
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What you'll learn
Describe the characteristic components of California's major ecosystems
Understand the processes that give rise to and maintain ecosystem character
Analyze the tradeoffs between human benefits derived from ecosystems and their degradation
Explain the impact of climate, soils, and land use history on ecosystem dynamics
Compare marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystem dynamics in California
Understand the management challenges in ecosystems such as rangelands, fisheries, and agriculture
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
7.5 Hours PreRecorded video
5 quizzes,1 peer review
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
FullTime access
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There are 5 modules in this course
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of California's diverse ecosystems, their structure, functioning, and interactions with human activities. It begins with an overview of the drivers shaping statewide patterns, including biodiversity, geomorphology, climate, and land use history. The curriculum then delves into specific ecosystem types, starting with marine systems such as beaches, estuaries, and kelp forests. It covers mountain ecosystems, lakes, and deserts, exploring topics like fire ecology and alpine environments. Lowland systems, including rivers, grasslands, chaparral, and oak woodlands, are also examined in detail. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on the interplay between human activities and ecosystem health, addressing topics such as forestry, agriculture, and urban development. The course concludes with a focus on practical skills, including the use of dichotomous keys for species identification. Students will gain a holistic understanding of California's ecological landscape and the challenges and opportunities in ecosystem management and conservation.
Conclusion
Module 1 · 1 Hours to complete
Marine Systems
Module 2 · 2 Hours to complete
Mountains, Lakes, & Deserts
Module 3 · 2 Hours to complete
Lowland Systems
Module 4 · 2 Hours to complete
Conclusion
Module 5 · 1 Hours to complete
Fee Structure
Payment options
Financial Aid
Instructor
Leading Expert in Ecology and Conservation Science Addressing Climate Change
Erika Zavaleta is a Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Santa Cruz, leading a diverse research group focused on conservation science and ecology in response to climate, atmospheric, and biodiversity changes. With 85 publications, including 13 in top-tier journals such as Nature and Science, she has made significant contributions to understanding ecological community responses to climate change. Zavaleta received the Ecological Society of America Sustainability Science Award in 2007 for her work on climate and wildfire impacts in Alaska's boreal forest. Recently, she was honored with two American Publishers Association’s PROSE Awards and a California Book Award for her book Ecosystems of California (2016). As director of the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program, she trains future conservation leaders and serves on advisory boards for several organizations focused on climate adaptation and conservation biology. Her current research includes studying the responses of migratory songbirds and alpine food webs to environmental changes in Telluride.
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4.7 course rating
48 ratings
Frequently asked questions
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