Graduate Seminar in Environmental Geography

15-041-770 (Winter)

Wetlands:

Ecosystem Development, Biogeography, and Human Impacts

Instructor: Dr. Wendy R. Eisner, Department of Geography

Office: 714J Swift Hall, Phone: 556-3926; FAX: 556-3370; e-mail: Weisner1@cs.com

Office Hours: Wed. 10:30 -11:30 or by appointment

Time: Wed. 2-5 p.m.

Required Text: Wetlands, third edition, by William J. Mitsch and James G. Gosselink. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2000.

Wetlands are one of the most productive and important ecosystems on Earth, yet they are disappearing at an alarming rate. Wetlands have a broad geographic distribution and are found within a wide variety of hydrological conditions, which make them difficult to define precisely. A case can be made for studying wetlands as a distinct field of study because of their unique characteristics.

Students will be required to take an active role in class discussions, develop a short presentation, and write a major paper.

Topics we will be covering in this class include:

  1. Geography of wetlands
  2. Types of wetlands:
    1. Tidal Marshes
    2. Mangrove Swamps
    3. Freshwater Marshes and Swamps
    4. Peatlands
    5. Riparian Ecosystems
  3. The wetland environment
    1. Ecosystem development
    2. Hydrology
    3. Biogeochemistry
  4. Paleoecology of wetlands
  5. Human Impacts and interactions
    1. Wetlands resources
    2. Laws and protection
    3. Restoration