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A course exploring the relationships between organisms and their environments across a variety of ecosystems. How do general principles and concepts in ecology illuminate our understanding of present, past, and future ecosystems, as well as the planet as a whole? Primary focus is on ecosystem productivity, carbon and oxygen, nutrients, climate, and energy relationships, including comparisons between marine, freshwater, and terrestrial systems. Specific effects of human activity on ecosystems will be discussed, as well as implications for environmental justice and policy. Laboratory exercises will focus on field studies and computational research projects, including sampling in forests and on canoes or research boats on nearby lakes.