Case studies from various countries and regions will be used. Not offered every year. Problems common to the nations of the region are examined, including the difficulties of political cohesion, urbanization and ecological impacts of tradition and contemporary land use practices. Not offered every year. The significance of geomorphic processes and resultant landforms to human activities is stressed.
Emphasis is on landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
There is a three-day field trip to the Channeled Scablands of Washington. Classical problems in biogeography are discussed, e.g., origin of grasslands, and relationships between needleleaf and broadleaf forests. Vegetation types are studied within the context of climatic climax zones. Not offered every year. The origin, development and distribution of soils and their significance to humans.