3-3-0

The main goals of this course are to study spatial patters of biodiversity and to attempt to reconstruct the origin and the present distribution of both extinct and extant taxa. We start by examining the modern distribution of selected groups of plants and animals, as well as the distribution and limits of the major biomes. We proceed with an overview of the major changes in the earth's climate and topology through geological times, and conclude with the impact of these historical changes on the evolution and the distribution of plants and animals. Techniques in biogeographical analysis will be taught and the students are expected to carry out a group project on the biogeographic history of a specific group of plants or animals. Topics such as extinction, adaptive radiation and island biogeography will also be covered.

Pre or Co-requisite: Biology 212

Professor Savage