NRES 660 - Principles of Restoration Ecology

(3 units)

Humans have altered the structure and function of ecosystems worldwide. This course covers the ecological principles and processes critical to restoring degraded ecosystems and their relevance for the practice of ecological restoration. Lecture examples will draw from global forest, grassland, desert, coastal, and riverine case studies. Labs will include hands on computer simulations in web apps and R and fieldtrips to degraded and restored ecosystems in the Reno area.

Maximum units a student may earn: 3

Grading Basis: Graded
Units of Lecture: 2
Units of Laboratory/Studio: 1
Offered: Every Fall

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. describe human impacts on ecosystems and their consequences for global ecosystem services and biodiversity.
2. articulate the purposes and goals of ecological restoration.
3. describe the connection between ecological restoration and conservation.
4. articulate the relevance of theories and concepts from evolutionary biology and ecology for the practice of restoration in diverse ecosystem types.
5. identify important biophysical and economic considerations and barriers for implementing restoration.
6. Summarize, critique, and synthesize the questions, methods, and primary conclusions of restoration ecology research through the primary literature.
7. synthesize and apply learning outcomes 1-5 by evaluating restoration case studies and field visits.
8. summarize, synthesize, and critique the primary literature in Restoration Ecology.

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