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This course is part of ASCE's Sustainable Infrastructure Certificate.

INSTRUCTOR: Emily Mitchell Ayers, Ph.D.

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.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

  1. Explain ecosystem dynamics and the services they provide, including water purification, soil stabilization, and biodiversity maintenance, to inform sustainable infrastructure design and management decisions.
  2. Identify potential ecological impacts of infrastructure projects and apply strategies to anticipate, mitigate, and minimize these impacts through effective project planning and design.
  3. Describe principles of ecological restoration and apply them to infrastructure projects to enhance ecosystem resilience and promote long-term sustainability.
  4. List and assess ecosystem services relevant to infrastructure development, prioritizing their contribution to environmental conservation and community well-being.
  5. Apply interdisciplinary collaboration and communication skills to integrate ecological considerations into infrastructure planning, construction, and maintenance processes, fostering effective teamwork among engineers, managers, and project designers.

Who Should Attend?

  • Environmental engineers
  • Water resource engineers
  • Transportation engineers
  • Construction engineers
  • Environmental or climate scientists
  • Sustainability and resilience professionals
  • Climate adaptation professionals
  • Building Code and Standards Developers
  • Infrastructure Planners
  • Urban Planners

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

Achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a 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 post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 1 year of purchasing the course.