This subject examines the major larger-scale biophysical processes influencing both marine and terrestrial systems and explores their interactions with human society. In particular, we will broadly investigate the physical processes of earth's energy, the geological cycle, the atmospheric cycle and the hydrological cycle. The earth's biosphere will be presented in terms of nitrogen and carbon cycles, energy flows and productivity, ecosystem disturbances such as fire, and evolutionary processes. Further, each process will be discussed in the context of how humans understand and interact with these systems. Finally, we will compare and contrast different approaches for measuring ecosystem processes including the design of monitoring programs, as well as the development of approaches for valuing and integrating human and ecosystem processes. The readings will emphasise both disciplinary and inter-disciplinary approaches to understanding complex systems. These will be complemented by weekly practicals and field excursions to explore natural processes within a variety of ecosystems.