2 credits
Fall 2025 Lecture Upper Division
Introduction to the principles of landscape ecology and biogeography. Landscape ecology focuses on the important relationships of landscape structure (pattern, heterogeneity) and ecological processes (movement of animals, hydrologic dynamics) and how this information is used for natural resource management. Biogeography examines ecological patterns and processes at larger scales (generally at subcontinental to global) for the purposes of managing plants and animals of global importance.
Learning Outcomes1Able to understand the theory, applications (how theory is applied) can be used to study landscape and larger scale problems related to natural resources.
2Know what a landscape is.
3Know the methods to quantify landscape pattern.
4Understand important terms in landscape ecology and biogeography.
5Understand the causes (natural and human) of landscape pattern.
6Understand the threats to biodiversity locally and globally.
7Able to explain the theory of island biogeography.
8Define sustainability and know how to calculate an ecological footprint.
Prerequisites
made by Purdue students.