ESS 35N: Ecosystem Restoration and the Carbon Cycle

Course Description

In this course, we will explore the implications of ecosystem restoration for the carbon cycle and its potential to mitigate climate change. Human activities such as deforestation, agriculture and urbanization have dramatically transformed Earth's surface, resulting in major changes to the carbon cycle. Here, we will explore these impacts, alongside the potential to restore terrestrial ecosystems to sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We will also explore cobenefits of ecosystem restoration, such as improved water quality, increased biodiversity, flood prevention and erosion control. We will take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the challenges and opportunities associated with ecosystem restoration, pulling from principles of biogeochemistry, ecology, hydrology and environmental management. The course will include a combination of presentations, interactive discussions, in-class activities and field trips. We will discuss case studies from around the world, from the salt marshes of the San Francisco Bay to mangrove restoration in the tropics. Class field trips are an important component of the course, and will offer a chance for hands-on learning in local ecosystems.