This question is what links conservation biology and sustainable development. The natural environment provides a wide range of resources (ecosystem services) that humans have used or relied upon for millions of years. However, sometimes our use of these resources can lead to their loss. In this course will consider the relationship between diversity and ecosystem services and consider how various management practices impact these linked topics. Beyond properly managing existing areas, we will also discuss efforts to restore and reconstruct ecological communities. Management and restoration both cost money and lead to a number of consequences for various groups that depend on access to environment and what they produce, so will also consider how ecosystems and the services they provide can be valued (both financially and culturally) and how stakeholders impact management decisions. We will explore these ideas through classroom discussions, activities, and field trips in the local area. The city of New York is home to numerous local and global efforts to restore and save ecological communities and provides an excellent backdrop for our class.

Course content can be broken into three main areas:

• What is biodiversity?
• What are threats to biodiversity?
• How do manage biodiversitiy?

Several lectures, lab activities, and field trips will be devoted to each of these areas.