Training in synthetic thinking and writing is often overlooked. Although there has been much primary research done on temperate rainforests, little synthetic work has been produced. Working in small groups, students will take a topic on temperate rainforests, and identify and read the seminal primary literature on it. They will then write a short summary and synthesis of what is known about the topic, what is not known, and what questions should be answered next. Topics that will be considered are:

1. Forest structure
2. Floristic composition
3. Ecosystem processes
4. Forest-atmosphere interactions
5. Plant-animal interactions
6. Human impacts and conservation
7. Global climate change
8. Terrestrial-marine interactions