Global Change Ecology Study Notes

Instructor: Dr. Nicole Fusco
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Title: Doctor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Qualifications: Doctorate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Systematics from Fordham University.

Office Location: Room $361$ , $3rd$ Floor
Email: Provided in syllabus and announcements; Dr. Fusco responds promptly.
Class Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday from $2:00$ PM to $3:15$ PM
Office Hours: Thursdays from $10:30$ AM to $11:30$ AM; students may request alternative times via email.

Course Title: Global Change Ecology
Objective: To understand human-induced changes affecting the planet and explore causes, ecological consequences, and mitigation strategies.

Research Focus: Urban Ecology and Evolution
- Salamander Study: Conducted research on salamanders in New York City to evaluate population connectivity and survival strategies amidst urban environmental shifts.
- Squirrel Study: Postdoctoral research at Yale focused on the prevalence of squirrels in urban areas and utilized genetic sequencing to understand their adaptation.
Teaching Philosophy: Passionate about sharing ecological knowledge and fostering student engagement.
Personal Background: Dr. Fusco is a mother to two boys and has a dog.

Attendance Requirement: In-class activities are mandatory for credit. Participation is viewed as a vital component of the learning process.
Assignment Structure:
- Homework: Released on Fridays with deadlines on the following Monday.
- Group Projects: Crucial for peer engagement and collaborative learning.

Lecture Format: Includes in-depth analysis of complex figures, graphs, and maps that extend beyond the textbook.
Classroom Behavior:
- Late arrivals should minimize disruption.
- Technology use should be restricted to class-related activities to avoid distractions.
Textbook: Climate Change Biology by Lee Hannah; supplemented by primary scientific literature and media sources.

Exams: Three exams throughout the semester covering specific assigned chapters.
Homework: Three assignments, each worth $10$ points.
Group Projects: Mandatory collaborative presentations at the end of the term.
Class Participation: Measured through in-class activities and polling software (Slido).

Human-Induced Change: Develop a comprehensive understanding of anthropogenic environmental shifts.
Ecological Consequences: Analyze how these changes impact biological systems.
Mitigation and Initiatives: Examine successful environmental policies and strategic approaches to sustainability.

Active Participation: Students should engage in discussions and group-based problem-solving.
Respectful Learning Environment: Maintain mutual respect during lectures and peer interactions.
Accommodations: Documentation for required accommodations should be provided to Dr. Fusco as early as possible.

Deadlines: Weekly homework is due the Monday following its Friday release; late submissions will result in a significant grade reduction.
Collaboration: Group projects emphasize shared responsibility; individual contributions will be monitored to ensure equitable participation.

Weeks $1-3$ : Introduction to Climate Change; evaluating the criteria and evidence for the Anthropocene epoch.
Weeks $4-6$ : Biodiversity loss and the ecological effects of urbanization.
Weeks $7-9$ : Mitigation strategies and the implementation of sustainable practices in urban settings.
Post-Spring Break: Focus on conservation biology, environmental legislation, and policy interventions.

Definition: A proposed geological epoch characterized by significant human influence on Earth's geology and ecosystems.
Criteria for Recognition:
- Scale: The change must be global rather than regional.
- Evidence: Must showcase significant ecological shifts (e.g., mass extinction or speciation events).
- Persistence: The modifications must be detectable in the geological record for millions of years.

Major Eras: Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic, and the Precambrian.
Transition Periods: Identification of major geological markers leading to the current proposed human-centric epoch.

Carbon Cycle: Significant increase in global atmospheric $CO_2$ levels, primarily driven by fossil fuel combustion.
Nutrient Cycles: Alteration of global nitrogen cycles ( $N_2$ ).
Biosphere Impacts: Widespread marine ecosystem degradation and accelerated biodiversity loss across diverse habitats.

Responsibility: Acknowledging human impact on the Earth's future.
Action: Encouraging proactive engagement in sustainability through education and critical thinking.
Objective: Prepare for a transformative learning experience regarding the complexities of global change ecology.