Natural Resources Conservation 225 - Forest Ecology & Conservation

Forests are complex ecosystems, they cover over 30% of the world?s land area and support more than 80% of terrestrial organisms. Forest ecosystems provide critical natural resources, are deeply embedded in many cultural belief systems, and offer vital physical and emotional benefits to humans. Unfortunately forest ecosystems are globally threatened. In this course we explore the underlying ecological and evolutionary processes that shape forests, how human societies past and present have valued and used forests, and we consider the emerging challenges and opportunities for sustainable forest management and conservation in the 21st century and beyond.