I am currently in Tokyo, one of the most densely populated and resource use intensive cities on the planet. But much like Chicago, where I was a couple of weeks ago, Tokyo is a leader in developing a sustainable urban life. One example of this public transportation. The Tokyo Metro is but one part of of one of the most comprehensive and integrated systems on the planet. I have so far not had to wait more than five minutes for a train!
We will talk a bit more explicitly about urban systems in the next week. This week, we take a closer look at pest management. We spend a considerable amount of effort dealing with pests....effort which translates into energy use and many practices that have a profound impact on the ecology of the planet, not to mention our own health. The lectures this week explore the ecological concepts that are fundamental to pest management, and they also explore ways that we can use an understanding of ecology to lessen the resource use and environmental impacts associated with pest management. The readings carry on that theme....and include some fun videos about parasitoid wasps!
In the homework assignment I have you explore a simple mathematical model that describes populations of predators and their prey.....the basic thing we are trying to manage when we do pest management. You should go over the lectures before trying the homework.
