LAMS209 Wetlands Science and Policy 3cr

This course is intended as a rational approach to
wetland conservation balanced with responsible
development. People need to live somewhere and to
draw water from somewhere. But wetlands serve
many vital functions and oftentimes are highly
valuable ecosystems that should be protected. In
the course, students gain an interdisciplinary
knowledge of wetland definitions, classification
systems, origins, and natural processes of
wetland environments. We discuss wetlands across
the globe, including boreal, temperate, and
tropical climates. We investigate hydrology,
soils, and vegetation and their relationship to
ecosystem processes, societal values, and
management. We examine human use, modification,
exploitation, jurisdictional delineation, and
management options, along with legal and
political aspects of wetlands. This is a broad
course, also encompassing forestry, coastal
management, energy, climate change, agriculture,
history, and ecosystem succession. We will
attempt four optional field trips, weather
permitting, in our field experience weekend.

Prerequisites: FRSM-100

Lecture
Spring

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