BL/ES 329 - Management and Sustainability of Mediterranean Ecosystems

An introduction to the study of Mediterranean-type ecosystems and sustainable development in the context of the Western Mediterranean region. The course covers the main topics on basic Ecology (abiotic factors, interactions, disturbance, succession, diversity, communities, ecosystems, etc.) while providing a comprehensive picture of the main current ecological challenges for sustainability (invasions, global warming, loss of biodiversity, habitat restoration, human impact in the ecosystem, etc.). Three field trips complete the course, with field work directly related to the topics offered in the classroom, including collection of data and a basic in situ analysis in order to draw conclusions and generate functional responses to ecological challenges.