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This course is part of ASCE's Sustainable Infrastructure Certificate.
INSTRUCTOR: Emily Mitchell Ayers, Ph.D.
Course Length: 5 hours
Purpose and Background
In order to successfully implement sustainable infrastructure projects, it is imperative that engineers, managers, and project designers develop a solid understanding of how ecosystems work, and how infrastructure projects can impact them. This includes appreciating the important services provided by ecosystems, and how these services are provided. Learning the basics of ecology will enable engineers and project managers to anticipate and avoid ecological impacts, and to incorporate ecological restoration into their projects. This on-demand seminar will help you meet all the objectives outlined above.
Course Outline
Module 1 - Overview of the Course
- Ecosystem Services
- Overview of Course Structure and Expected Outcomes
Module 2 - Introduction to Ecology
- What is an Ecosystem?
- Ecosystem Structure
- Flow of Energy and Materials Through Ecosystems
- Ecosystem Responses to Change
- Succession
Module 3 - Impacts of Infrastructure
- Causes of Ecosystem Degradation
- Impacts of Infrastructure Projects
- Major Impacts in the United States
- Major Global Impacts
Module 4 - Protecting Habitat
- Introduction to the Envision™ Project Rating System
- Site Assessment
- Selecting Areas for Conservation
- Selecting Areas for Development
- Wildlife Crossings and Corridors
Module 5 - Integrating Infrastructure
- The Concept of the "Energy Signature"
- Forcing Functions
- Predicting and Avoiding Infrastructure Impacts
- Case Studies
Module 6 - Restoring Ecological Function
- Mitigation Banking
- Basic Principles of Ecological Restoration
- Stream Restoration
- Wetland Restoration
- Lake and Pond Restoration
- Restoring Disturbed Lands
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-assessment (true-false, multiple choice and fill in the blank questions).
How to Earn your PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion
To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 1 year of purchasing the course.