ENV 729b/EVST 429 () / 2022-2023
Caribbean Coastal Development: Science and Policy
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Credits: 3
Spring 2023: M,W, 10:30-11:45, 380 Edwards |
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This seminar explores human-ecosystem interactions at the land-sea interface in the tropics, with Caribbean islands as the main study sites. Many tropical islands are undergoing rapid, uncontrolled development, placing severe local stress on several unique and vulnerable ecosystems types. In addition, human induced environmental changes on scales up to global also impose stresses. This course examines the normal functioning of these ecosystems, scientific methods to evaluate and characterize ecosystem condition and processes, how human activities interfere with natural cycles in biophysical systems, and what management and policy tools can be applied to reduce impacts.
Class enrollment is limited to 20, and priority is given to YSE students, with others admitted as space permits.