FBE 603 Terrestrial Ecosystems

Learning Outcome

At the end of the course students should be able to:

  1. Classify different types of ecosystem,
  2. Describe major ecological processes in different ecosystems,
  3. Explain and apply scientific knowledge in the management of ecosystems.

Course Content

Terrestrial ecosystems and principles underlying their functioning, types of terrestrial ecosystems – natural and managed ecosystems, major components and structure of terrestrial ecosystems, ecological and socio-economic functions of terrestrial ecosystems, Ecosystem processes and energy flow in terrestrial ecosystems – diversity of primary producers and consumers and how they function to maintain ecosystem process and energy flow. Human ecology – human interactions and influences on terrestrial ecosystems and outcomes of the interaction.

Required readings

  1. Osborne P.L. 2000. Tropical Ecosystems and Ecological Concepts. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 464 pp.
  1. Barbour, M. G., Burk, J.H. and Pitts, W.D.1987. Terrestrial Plant Ecology. Second Edition. Benjamin Publishing Company Inc. California. 634 pp.
  1. Bush, M. B 2000. Ecology of a Changing Planet. 2nd Edition. Upper Saddle River New Jersey. 498 pp.

Recommended reading

  1. Neil, B., Hales, D.J., Underwood, E., Dinerstein, E., Olson, D., Schipper, I. J., and Newman, R. 2004. Terrestrial Eco-regions of Africa and Madagascar. A Conservation Assessment. Island Press Washington. 501 pp.
  1. Groom, M.J., Meffe G.K. and Carroll, C.R. 2006. Principles of Conservation Biology. Sinaner Associates, Sunderland 3rd Edition. 779 pp.
  1. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005. Ecosystems and Human Well-being Synthesis. Washington, D.C. Inland Press 550 pp