Environmental Conservation
GEO 260, Spring 2006
Lecture Outline

Reading to be done before Class: CES pp. 20-31
Come to class with a basic familiarity with the following concepts and ideas: Tundra, permafrost, biodiversity. Make sure you understand concepts related to energy flow through ecosystems from Chapter 1 and observe how they are applied to understand the Tundra ecosystem.
Additional Assignment: Don't forget to do research for Friday's debate on ANWR.

The Tundra

Frontier Environments

The Fallacy of Remoteness

Characteristics of the Tundra Biome

Geomorphology

Permafrost Geomorphology

Types and Locations (alternate)
Active Layer
Thermal erosion
Thermokarst Landscapes
Frost Action Processes (a pingo)
Solifluction

Biodiversity

Species Richness
Species Abundance (equitability)

Limiting factors and Biodiversity

Geographical Variation in Biodiversity

Limiting Factors and Adaptations in Tundra Vegetation

Limiting Factors and Adaptations in Tundra Animals

ANWR

Relevant links

http://www.gcrio.org/geo/frozen.html About permafrost http://www.gcrio.org/ASPEN/science/EOC97/eoc97session2/Weller.html Explaination with a good picture of thermokarst.

The army's efforts to deal with melting permafrost http://www.crrel.usace.army.mil/es/research/permafrost-loss.htm

Arctic animals http://www.dpc.dk/Photos/Exhibit_1.html

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