BIOL 476
Forest and Wetland Ecology
Catalog Entry
Biology 476: Forest and Wetland Ecology (4)
Three hours lecture; three hours laboratory
Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in BIOL 131, BIOL 132, BIOL 231, and BIOL 232; or BIOL 131 and GEOS 241, GEOS 335, or GEOG 305.
Pre- or Corequisite: STAT 219 or STAT 200
This course studies the structure and function of forest and wetland communities and
factors influencing the distribution and abundance of species in these systems. We
will examine the influence of environmental characteristics (climate, topography,
hydrology, soils, disturbance) and plant physiological adaptations in forests and
wetlands; methods of vegetation sampling, description, and classification; and current
management and conservation issues. Laboratory investigations will emphasize collection
of field data, vegetation and site characterization, and analytical techniques.
Note(s): Applied Learning designated course.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
1. Introduction to forest ecosystems
a. environmental influences – climate, soils, topography, light
b. structure, physiognomy, and diversity of major types of North American forests
c. forests as wildlife habitat
d. timber and non-timber forest resources
2. Introduction to wetland ecosystems
a. ecological wetland definition - hydrology, soils, vegetation (hydrophytes)
b. legal wetland definitions / wetland delineation
c. wetland function – erosion / flood control, nutrient transformations, fish and
wildlife habitat
d. major types of North American wetlands
3. Plant ecophysiology / physiological adaptations
a. photosynthesis (C3, C4, CAM), adaptations to light environments
b. plant-water adaptations – drought tolerance, adaptations for wetland environments
c. plant mineral nutrition, adaptations for nutrient limitations
d. seed dormancy and germination requirements
4. Population structure, growth, distribution
a. plant architecture - clonal growth and vegetative reproduction
b. life history strategies, resource allocation, phenology
5. Inter- and intra-specific interactions
a. mutualisms (pollination ecology, seed dispersal, mycorrhizal associations)
b. competition, allelopathy
c. herbivory, plant physical and chemical defenses
6. Community concepts, attributes, and quantitative description
a. defining plant communities - historical concepts and debates, modern views
b. physiognomy, species composition, dominance, diversity measures
c. diversity - scale-dependence, latitudinal gradients, regional and global patterns,
diversity and stability
d. sampling methods
e. gradient analysis / classification and ordination of plant communities / spatial
analysis and mapping
7. Disturbance and ecosystem recovery
a. disturbance frequency and intensity
b. fire ecology, altered fire regimes
c. flooding and hydrologic alterations (wetlands)
d. anthropogenic influences - deforestation, historical land use impacts, introduced
species, large mammals as forest pests
e. 1o and 2o (old-field) succession, theoretical succession models
8. Forest and wetland ecosystems
a. nutrient cycling in forests and wetlands
b. forest and wetland productivity
c. global climate change – biodiversity losses, habitat fragmentation, wetland
degradation and mitigation, introduced species, elevated atmospheric CO2 models, acid
precipitation / nitrogen deposition
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
In addition to traditional lecture formats, lecture classes may include discussions
of primary and secondary literature, evaluation of qualitative and quantitative evidence
from case studies, and problem-based and team learning. Labs will include field trips
to study regional vegetation patterns, environmental site influences, and methods
for sampling forest and wetland vegetation. Labs will emphasize field data collection,
sampling methods, and quantitative, computer-based data analyses (i.e., vegetation
description, classification, Geographic Information Systems mapping).
Goals and Objectives of the Course
After successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
1. explain the major factors influencing the structure and composition (distribution
and abundance of species) of forest and wetland plant communities, including interactions
between species and the environment
2. characterize wetland ecosystems based on vegetation, hydrology, soils, and ecosystem
functions
3. describe physiological stresses and plant adaptations for forest and wetland
environments
4. correctly employ field sampling and data collection techniques to characterize
forest and wetland vegetation and site characteristics
5. evaluate qualitative and quantitative data
6. analyze vegetation data to characterize plant communities quantitatively, including
vegetation description and classification
7. read and critically analyze primary and secondary ecological literature
8. apply ecological principles to current conservation issues
Assessment Measures
Assessment of student understanding and application of course material may include
essay, short-answer, and objective questions on written lecture exams; practical field
and laboratory quizzes; individual and small group research investigations; written
research / laboratory reports; oral presentations; reading, discussion, and evaluation
of primary and secondary literature, and written assignments. Other assessment measures
may be used to evaluate understanding of content and skills when appropriate.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
March, 2010
March 01, 2021