Biogeography: the study of the distribution of life—the history, extent, limits and interactions of species. Critical biophysical processes start at the global extent (climate, ocean currents), range through the regional scale (mountain ranges, river systems) and operate locally (slope, aspect, soil development). These biophysical factors—and all life—have been shaped by change over geologic and evolutionary time. More recently, the distribution of life has been influenced by human activity. By the end of this course you should have a better understanding of biophysical factors that influence the abundance and distribution of life, and how these factors have been shaped through geologic time. You should have a grasp on how human history and development influences the distribution of life in more recent time. You will come away with a better understanding of how dynamic are species’ distributions in a constantly changing world.