Biosphere 2 Center near Tucson, AZ, and field trips. The complex, interdependent and dynamic nature of the earth system is revealed most clearly by spending time in the field.
Rainfall infiltrates or runs off dependent upon the nature of the soil and topography.
The soil is formed by its history of water infiltration, vegetation growth and animal burrowing in the context of bedrock composition, the slope of the land and the overall balance between erosion and deposition. The vegetation, in turn, depends on the climate, the soil and the animals that move soil and seeds. All of these variables not only depend on current environmental conditions, but also on the past conditions that set the stage. The Field Course in Earth and Environmental Sciences teaches students to understand landscapes in an integrated fashion. Unlike most field courses which concentrate on either rocks, plants or wildlife, this course allows students to examine all of these issues in concert.