Coastal Wetlands Ecology

Prerequisites: General Biology and Botany or Zoology.

This course will focus on coastal and nearshore wetland areas, with an emphasis on the biogeochemical process- es that occur within, and issues that threaten and protect these important resources. Wetlands not only provide critical habitat for many aquatic and semi-aquatic species, but they are also important for primary productivity, trans- formation of nutrients, pollutant removal, as well as providing protection from storm surges and floodwaters. Insight into wetland ecology requires understanding of the unique interactions between biology, chemistry and hydrology.