Conceptual frameworks 6th January. 2015.

BIOL 303

Here are some of the questions we will likely address in this session. A PDF with all lecture slides and
possibly some additional supporting images and data will be circulated afterwards.

What are the learning outcomes for this course?

What are the key features of the conceptual frameworks underlying each of the following?

Scientific research

Hierarchy of organization in biology

Trophic networks

Organism (or whole ecosystem) energy flow

Ecosystem distributions

What concepts or themes distinguish ecosystem ecology from community ecology?

What exactly is the ecological footprint concept, and what are its strengths and weaknesses in
addressing sustainability issues?

What are the principal factors increasing the global ecological footprint?