Transcript title

Forest Ecology

Credits

3

Grading mode

Standard letter grades

Total contact hours

50

Lecture hours

20

Lab hours

30

Course Description

Provides students with an overview of basic plant structure and function and introduces students to functioning of forest ecosystems. Class will examine the physical environment and how it affects growth and distribution of organisms and ecological processes. Course concludes with an examination of communities, disturbance and succession.

Course learning outcomes

1. Understanding of basic concepts in botany, including plant structure and function.
2. Ability to identify the major components of a forest ecosystem.
3. Familiarity with ecosystem functions and processes, with special emphasis on forest ecosystems.
4. Understanding of basic community ecology, including competition and disturbance ecology.
5. Understanding of basic concepts in forest succession.

Content outline

• Plant roots
• Stems and leaves
• Photosynthesis
• Ecosystems
• Forest Soil
• Light and forests
• Temperature and forests
• Water and forests
• Plant Communities
• Disturbances to forests
• Forest succession
• Effects of animals on forests
• Applying ecology
• Forest health and human impacts

Required materials

Requires textbook, see syllabus for details.