3101030 - Ecology of Gardens and Landscapes in an Urban Environment

Course Description

Examine the interactions between abiotic (soil, water) and biotic (plant, animal) networks in urban gardens and green spaces. Diversity in urban landscapes is critical to supporting healthy ecosystems. The impact of human activities and management practices on plants and animals in the urban landscapes will be identified along with strategies and techniques to restore and rehabilitate urban landscapes

Urban community gardeners, co-operative associations, municipal planners and environmental advocates wishing to identify the potentials and constraints for gardens in the urban environment are well-suited participants for this course.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate the principles of ecology in a natural system and be able to evaluate and apply the principles, and allied ideas, to the urban environment
• Identify and recognize preconceptions, and explore new ideas and ways of thinking of landscapes in the urban environment
• Explore the principles of ecology and allied ideas, and apply these principles to analyze an urban environment, comparing and contrasting it to a natural system
• Assess the current status of your urban environment and formulate a personal theory of the future of our cities
• Synthesize your ideas and findings in a creative way to share your understandings with others

Course Topics

• Introduction and Concepts
• Ecological Principles
• Before Us....
• Urbanicity
• Urban Ecology
• Gardens and Landscapes in the City
• The Impact of “Green” on Urban Ecology
• Who are the Players?
• The Importance of “One”
• We Can’t Go Back....
• Destroying Paradigms
• The Natural City

Assessment

Please note that the course assessment is subject to change.

Sponsoring Partners

• Royal Botanical Gardens
• Department of Plant Agriculture
• Ontario Agricultural College