THE AER LAB AT MCGILL
  • Home
    • News
  • Meet the AER-heads
    • Lab Alumni
  • Our Research
    • Reservoir GHG
    • Restored peatlands
    • Marsh wetlands
    • Agricultural systems
  • The Toys
  • Teaching
    • ENVB301 Meteorology
    • NRSC/GEOG221 Environment and Health
    • GEOG321 Climatic Environments
    • WILD475 Desert Ecology
  • Join Us
    • PhD Opportunity
  • Contact Us

WILD 475 Desert Ecology

A two week team-taught field course exploring relationships between climate, geology, landforms, biodiversity, biotic adaptations and ecosystem conditions in the arid regions of Arizona and southern California. Focus is on the Sonoran and Mojave deserts but includes the transitions to adjacent grassland and forest biomes of the Sky Islands and Colorado Plateau. Exploration of issues arising from human use of land and water, and conservation in arid environments. Experiential learning involving team and individual projects and assignments before and during the field trip.

Enrollment is limited to ~20. The course begins and ends in Phoenix AZ. Students are responsible for their transportation to/from Phoenix. Other course costs (transport, camping, admissions and most meals) will be discussed at the information session held in the Fall term of the academic year that the field trip is given. The course requires camping and living under desert conditions.

Restriction(s): Restricted to U2 and U3 students.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructors is required to register. To be eligible students are required to have at least one systems-focused course, one ecology course and two organismal courses. Students should consult the instructors for list of appropriate courses.

Header photo credit: G. McCourt


What Strachan has to say:

“This was my first time involved in the Desert Ecology teaching team; what a fantastic experience! It was great to be able to bring elements of climate and weather to a course filled with bright, enthusiastic and dedicated students. Several atmospheric experiments added to the fun”

When and where:

Offered every other year in the Winter term with field work for two weeks in April/May. Next offered: Winter 2021

Information session: Fall 2020 - date TBA





Picture

Contact : Prof. Ian B. Strachan
Department of Natural Resource Sciences
Macdonald Campus of McGill University
21111 Lakeshore Rd., Ste Anne de Bellevue, QC  H9X 3V9
Follow me on Twitter: @meteomac

 © 2015-19 Dr. Ian Strachan; created Nov 15, 2015
Last updated September 5, 2019
  • Home
    • News
  • Meet the AER-heads
    • Lab Alumni
  • Our Research
    • Reservoir GHG
    • Restored peatlands
    • Marsh wetlands
    • Agricultural systems
  • The Toys
  • Teaching
    • ENVB301 Meteorology
    • NRSC/GEOG221 Environment and Health
    • GEOG321 Climatic Environments
    • WILD475 Desert Ecology
  • Join Us
    • PhD Opportunity
  • Contact Us