BIO 103 Topics in Biology

Biological, ecological, and social views regarding need, methods, and effects of restoration and enhancement of ecosystems. Recent events from California and the rest of the world are discussed, focusing on marine and terrestrial ecosystems, invasive species, overharvesting, industrial impacts on the environment, and methods of mitigating or repairing damages. Examples of discussions include: methods of combating overharvesting in the Pacific Ocean, natural and anthropogenic methods of recovering from forest fires, oil platforms functioning as artificial reefs to help endangered species thrive, how a nuclear generating station affects a giant kelp forest and what can be done to mitigate those damages.