Fundamentals of Ecology - Bio  220

 

 

Syllabus & Class Meeting Notes Course Goals Course Information
 Homework & References Rules of Engagement Lab Reports & Presentations

2013 Course Schedule
The schedule is tentative, and may vary.  You are responsible for keeping informed of any schedule changes.
Follow the links to find outlines of each day's activities.
* Indicates a change in the schedule

Date

Topic

Readings & Assignments

Week 1

What is Ecology?

 

T

Course overview; Ecological subfields

Syllabus & Website

Lab 1

Landscape Patterns, Hypotheses & Upland Trees (Field)

Lab 1 in O: drive!

Th

Ecological Constraints & Ecological Modeling

Smith ch. 1

 

 

 

Week 2

The Physical Environment

 

T

Constraints & Global Climate Patterns

Smith ch. 2

Lab 2

Hypothesis Testing - The Physical Environment (Field)

Lab 2 pt.1 in O: drive; Smith ch. 4 (4.1-4.4)

Th

Regional Climate & Its Temporal Variations

Smith ch. 2

 

 

 

Week 3

Global Ecology I: Biomes &

Climate

 

T

Biomes, Climate, Adaptation & Convergence

Smith ch. 23; QE 23.1; ch. 5 - review

Lab 3

Physical Environment Hypoth. Testing, cont'd. (Field)

Lab 2 pt.2 in O: drive

Th

Ecological Evidence of Climate Change

Video - Hot Times in Alaska

Smith ch. 29, Quant.Ecol. 29.1

 

 

 

Week 4

Changing Climates

 

Science & Public Policy – Evidence for Climate Change

Smith ch. 29; IPCC Summary (in O: drive)

Lab 4

Data Summary & Analysis  (Lab)

 Smith Quantifying Ecol. 1.1, 1.2
 

Th

Exam 1

 Follow link to outline of major topics

     

Week 5

Global Ecology II: Ecosystems

 

T

Climate Change & the Carbon Cycle

Smith ch. 20-21; Beedlow et al. article

Lab 5

Aquatic Nutrients open inquiry lab (Field)

Group Lab Report DUE;
Lab 3 pt.1 in O: drive; Smith ch. 3 & ch. 20

Th

Nutrient Cycling: the N cycle

Smith ch. 22; Case Study Background (Pacific Salmon) in O: drive

 

 

 

Week 6

Ecosystem Ecology

 

T

Nutrient Cycling & food webs

Case Study Part 1 figures & questions (O: drive); Smith ch. 21-22, cont'd.

Lab 6

Aquatic Nutrients Lab - cont'd
(Field)

Lab 3 pt.2 in O: drive;Smith ch. 3 & ch. 20

Th

Aquatic-terrestrial connections

Case Study Background Part 3-4, plus figures & questions (O: drive)

     

Week 7

Ecosystems to Individuals

 

T

Energy flow through food webs

Smith ch. 20

Lab 7

Aquatic Nutrients Lab - cont'd
(Field &/or Lab)

Lab 3 pts.1&2, cont’d.

Th

Physiological Ecology & Metabolism

Smith ch. 7 (7.1-7.13)

     

Week 8

Physiology, cont'd.

 

T

Animal Physiology & Metabolism

Willette et al. article

Lab 8

Aquatic Nutrients Lab - Final presentations (Lab)

 Group informal presentations in lab;
 

Th

 Exam 2

 Follow link to outline of major topics

   

Lab Reports Due?

3/7-3/11

Yippee!!  Spring Break!  ~

Have a safe & relaxing break!

     

Date

Topic

Readings & Assignments

Week 9

Population Ecology – Single Species

 

T

Reproductive strategies & growth

 

Smith ch. 8.8-8.10, 8.13;

Lab 9

LAB 4-Animal Census & Diversity  (field)

Lab 4 pt.1 in O: drive

Th

Population - Life History & survivorship

Sillett et al. article; Smith ch. 9, QE 9.1; ch. 10 (10.1-10.5, 10.10); ch. 11.1-11.5, 11.12;

 

   

Week 10

Population Ecology – Single & 2 Species

 

T

Population growth models, cont'd. 

Smith ch. 9, QE 9.1; ch. 10 (10.1-10.5, 10.10); ch. 11.1-11.5, 11.12

Lab 10

LAB 4 - Resources & Species Interactions: set up experimental treatments (field)

Lab 4 pt.2 in O: drive
 

Th

2-Species Systems: Competition & Mutualism;

Smith ch. 13, ch. 15 (15.9-15.15);  Smith ch. 14

 

   

Week 11

Populations - 2-Spp. Systems

 

T

*GUEST LECTURE:  Tim Seastedt of CU Boulder, Ecosystem Ecologist
 

Eisenberg reading: ch. 1 & ch. 2, thru p. 41, & p. 73-75 -- available as ebook thru library:
http://opac.fortlewis.edu/search/a?searchtype=t&searcharg=the+wolf%27s+tooth&SORT=D&submit=submit

Lab 11

*LAB 5 - Forest History part 1 - Dendrochronology (field & lab)

Lab 5 in O: drive; Dendro. readings

Th

*Predator-Prey Interactions - The Wolves of Yellowstone

Read 1 of 4 articles in O: drive on Yellowstone; answer questions to turn in (in O: drive); Smith Issues 28.1

 

 

 

Week 12

Community Ecology I

 

T

Community Structure & Process

Smith ch. 16 & 17; Ellison et al. article

Lab 12

*LAB 5 - Forest History part 2 (lab)

Lab 5 cont’d.; data summary

Th

Temporal Change - Succession

Smith ch. 18

 

   

Week 13

Community Ecology II

 

T

Disturbance & Stability

Smith ch. 19 (19.7-19.10; Issues 19.1 )

Lab

*LAB 4 - Species Interactions,cont’d  Summary & Analysis (Field & Lab)

 

Th

Landscape Ecology: Spatial Arrangements

Biology Sr. Poster Session 5 pm!

Smith ch. 19 (19.1-19.5), ch. 28

 

   

Week 14

Landscape Ecology & Conservation

 

T

Landscape Ecology: Conservation

Smith ch. 19 (19.1-19.5), ch. 28;

Breshears et al. paper in O: drive;

Lab

*Lab 4 Group Poster Presentations 

Poster Resources in O: drive

Th

*Closing & Review

 

 

NBS Research Symposium

Vallecito Room & Ballroom, 12:20-7:15pm

     
   

Tamarisk-Fire Cycle Talk - Gail Drus

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 15

FINAL EXAM WEEK

 

4/22

Monday 4:30-6:30pm

Final Exam-Study Guide

                                         * = change in schedule

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