RiseUpp Logo
Educator Logo

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

(48 ratings)

5,133 already enrolled

Instructors:

English

Powered by

Provider Logo
California Ecosystems: Natural Diversity and Human Effects

This course includes

11 Hours

Of Self-paced video lessons

Beginner Level

Completion Certificate

awarded on course completion

2,435

Audit For Free

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

California ecosystems
ecology
environmental science
biodiversity
climate
land use
marine biology
forestry
agriculture
conservation

This course includes:

7.5 Hours PreRecorded video

5 quizzes,1 peer review

Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop

FullTime access

Shareable certificate

Closed caption

Get a Completion Certificate

Share your certificate with prospective employers and your professional network on LinkedIn.

Certificate

Top companies offer this course to their employees

Top companies provide this course to enhance their employees' skills, ensuring they excel in handling complex projects and drive organizational success.

icon-0icon-1icon-2icon-3icon-4

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

Erika Zavaleta
Erika Zavaleta

4.9 rating

12 Reviews

5,125 Students

1 Course

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.

California Ecosystems: Natural Diversity and Human Effects

This course includes

11 Hours

Of Self-paced video lessons

Beginner Level

Completion Certificate

awarded on course completion

2,435

Audit For Free

Testimonials

Testimonials and success stories are a testament to the quality of this program and its impact on your career and learning journey. Be the first to help others make an informed decision by sharing your review of the course.

4.7 course rating

48 ratings

Frequently asked questions

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about this course. We aim to provide clear and concise answers to help you better understand the course content, structure, and any other relevant information. If you have any additional questions or if your question is not listed here, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further assistance.