Ecosystem is an integration of biological and non-biological parts of an area, and there is a web of interactions and interdependencies among the parts. Forests, as the largest part of terrestrial ecosystem, play a critical role as various processes that support the internal functioning of the forest and connect it to surrounding landscape and the globe, directly affecting movement of energy and elements, and organisms. The key processes that shape the structure and function of forest ecosystem, including hydrologic and nutrient cycling, productivity, disturbances, and invasive species, will be covered in this course. Discussion of how human induced global change affects the ecosystem stability and function will also be covered. At the end of this course, students are expected to understand the basic principles and concepts of ecosystem ecology and explain why it is relevant to the society.

Perry DA, Oren R, Hart SC (2008) Forest Ecosystems. 2nd edition, The Johns Hopkin University Press, Baltimore.