Handbook

Biogeography is the study of why organisms live where they do. In this course, we will investigate the factors that influence plant and animal distributions. Topics covered include energy flow and nutrient cycling in ecosystems; habitat and niche concepts; how climate and topography affect the distribution of species; short and long-distance dispersal of plants and animals; competition and interaction between species; the effects of disturbance on biological communities; and, Island Biogeography Theory. Contemporary biogeographical and environmental issues may be highlighted.