207. Paleoecology.

The challenge of understanding the organizing principles, the evolution of and the functioning of ecosystems of the Earth is the
essence of this course. Earth is entering a time of massive extinction, which happens first to species and then to communities and
ecosystems. In paleoecology one aim is to understand how, why and when ecosystems collapse by studying the geologic record of
such collapse events in the past. Such understanding may reveal our future. Techniques employed in these studies blend theory
with application. The course is appropriate for students who have some paleontology or biology experience. Offered every other year.
Prerequisite: Geology 103.