From jungles and rain forests to the driest deserts and barren arctic terrain, Planet Earth comprises a breathtaking array of ecosystems. As quickly becomes apparent, no one ecosystem exists independently of the rest, and no matter where a person resides, an understanding of all the ecosystems and how they work together as a living planet provides a better understanding of man's place on Earth and the future of the environment. In this series of lectures, renowned ornithologist John Kricher presents an absorbing analysis of the diverse ecosystems that exist on Planet Earth. He provides a factual study of the many fragile and threatened portions of our biosphere while describing the interaction between each system and the effect of man's presence in these ecosystems. Professor Kricher also explains the amazing variety of flora and fauna that inhabit the individual ecosystems and addresses current ecological issues facing mankind. Lecture 1 Ecology and the Big Picture Lecture 2 Earth and the Goldilocks Effect Lecture 3 Distribution of Global Ecosystems Lecture 4 Climate and Ecology Lecture 5 Biogeography and Evolution Lecture 6 Polar Ecosystems and Tundra Lecture 7 Boreal Forest Lecture 8 Temperate Deciduous Forest Lecture 9 Grassland and Savanna Lecture 10 Desert Lecture 11 Tropical Rainforest Lecture 12 Marine Ecosystems Lecture 13 Unique Coastal Ecosystems Lecture 14 Current Issues in Global Ecology