ENS 475 Agroforestry: Farms and Forest Systems

This interdisciplinary course investigates the scientific understanding of our world’s ecological agroforestry systems, paying particular attention to the interactions between the biophysical systems and the social, political and economic systems. The course will emphasize the major types of sustainable farms and forest systems used by people in both developed and developing countries. Class sessions and assigned readings will highlight agronomic (scientific) approaches to food, forestry, and agriculture, and students will analyze complex agro-systems, such as nut-tree crop combinations, forest farming, and carbon sequestration. In the lab and field component, students will practice basic forest measurements (i.e., tree carbon storage, soils) and test plant responses to nutrients, light, water, and temperature.

Credits

4

Prerequisite

ENS 210 or permission of the instructor.