ESR 410/510

Ecosystem Services: Societal Benefits of Ecological Systems

Spring 2004

Where: TBA, Portland State University
Lecture: T-Th 1600-1750
Instructor: Dr. Alan Yeakley (725-8040; yeakley@pdx.edu; office: W 1600-1730)
Readings:

• G. C. Daily, ed. 1997. Nature’s Services: Societal Dependence on Natural Ecosystems, Island Press.
• F. Capra. 2002. The Hidden Connections – Integrating the Biological, Cognitive and Social Dimensions of Life into a Science of Sustainability, Doubleday Press.
• Articles from the literature.

Approach:

This course will explore benefits that ecological systems provide for humans. We will investigate attributes of ecological systems that tend to be taken for granted, such as pest control, waste detoxification, soil fertility, climate moderation, and flood control. We will examine ways in which these attributes are and/or can be valued. We will further examine ways in which ecological systems and social systems are linked in terms of both structure and function, in an effort to understand how humans might better sustain both ecosystems and themselves.

Course outline:

Week	Lecture Topic
1	Ecosystem Services as a concept
2	Economic issues of ecosystem valuation
3	Roles of climate and soil
4	Roles of biodiversity
5	Social systems
6	Global networks
7	Ecosystem case studies
8	Ecosystem case studies
9	Student presentations
10	Student Presentations

Readings: The format of the class is readings and discussion based. The reading assignments for the first 7 weeks will come from the two assigned texts (a specific reading assignment list will be distributed the first week of class). During the last 3 weeks of the course, readings will be selected by students from the literature and discussed.

Grade distribution: Term paper (60%), Short writings (30%), Participation (10%)

• Term paper: All students will complete an abstract by the 5^th week and a final term paper by the end of the term. All students will present their paper orally during the last week of class. Credit breakdown: 25% abstract, 25% oral presentation, 50% written presentation.
• Short writings: Each week during weeks 2-7 students will complete a short (~250 word) writing assignment based on the reading assignment. The formats of these assignments will be discussed in class.
• Participation: Assessment here will be based on attendance, completed written assignments, vocal participation in class, and participation on the peer-review sessions (abstract review and oral presentations).