Ecosystems

In this unit you will learn to recognise and understand the characteristics of three globally different world ecosystems.

• You will investigate the main vegetation and soil characteristics of tropical rainforests, coniferous woodlands and savanna (tropical) grasslands.
  
• Case studies will assist you to recognise the human uses of tropical rainforests, the social and environmental effects of logging, road building, mineral extractions, slash and burn on the soil, and the social, environmental and political issues involved and the different attitudes of the interested groups.
• You will look in detail at the human uses of savanna grasslands, the effects of drought, population pressure, overcultivation, overgrazing causing soil erosion and desertification.  There are strategies that may be employed to reverse the process.  You will become aware that current evidence suggests the process of desertification is not irreversible.
• Finally you will investigate coniferous woodlands in places like Finland.  How is it possible to have sustainable management of the forests?