Urban Ecology: A Challenge and Opportunity for Theoretical Ecology

Ecology today is the study of the links between different subdisciplines, often with an underlying concern for linking aspects of anthropogenic change to some indication of the functioning of the ecosystem.  In this seminar, Dr. Fred Adler outlines the key links that have been the focus of study over the last decade and shows how each of them can be effectively studied in urban environments. Perhaps more importantly, study of urban environments opens up the opportunity to address neglected links and to assemble a more integrated view of ecological theory that provides a framework for planning and decision making.