Ecosystems in Action
There is no better way to learn about different environments than by immersing yourself in them. A group of students enrolled in North American Ecosystems, led by Professor of Environmental Science Systems Larry Tanner, Ph.D., discovered that firsthand. The course is designed to give students a greater understanding of the diversity of biological communities in North America, with particular focus on comparing the temperate communities of Central New York with the diverse dry ecosystems encountered at both low and high elevations in Arizona. Research allows you to become involved in a topic of interest and gives you hands-on experience. Especially as an environmental science student, I believe going out into the field is just a part of the major. It allows for the application of concepts in the classroom, the exploration of interests, and the development of critical thinking skills.
Last January, a team of nine undergraduates traveled to Arizona, visiting Phoenix, Tucson, Sedona and Flagstaff before making their way to the Grand Canyon. They observed up close ecosystems that many of them had never previously seen in person, learning about foreign plant communities, geologic records, and how people across Arizona are experiencing a changing climate.
Tanner’s aim with the class was twofold: he wanted the students to observe the elements of the biological communities they encountered, and to understand the largely climatic controls on the structure of those communities.
