10001149Ecological Basis for Natural Resources Management
Course Information
Description
Introduction to the principles of ecology that underlie the practice of natural resource management. Discus factors operating to develop and maintain ecosystems and communities. Examine the application of important ecological principles in various natural resources management strategies. Develop skills in data collection, preparation of technical reports, use of library resources, use of computer models and critical thinking.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
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Relate the processes of succession, soil development, erosion, transport and deposition to the development and maintenance of ecosystemsAssessment StrategiesExam, lab demonstrationCriteriaExplain the role of the hydrologic cycle in the development and maintenance of ecosystemsDescribe lake and stream structure and habitatsDescribe forest structure and habitatsDescribe grassland structure and habitatsDescribe the development and maintenance of wetlandsDefine ecosystemTest self-generated hypotheses concerning the relationships between soil development, community structure and biodiversity in forest communitiesInterpret calculated Hilsenhoff Biotic Indices and other community metrics to assess the health of a stream ecosystem
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Relate the biogeochemical cycling process occurring in ecosystems to soil development, water chemistry, biomass production and ecosystem development and maintenance.Assessment StrategiesExam, DiagramCriteriaExplain the concept of nutrient cycling in ecosystemsRelate the carbon cycle to biomass production and global warmingRelate the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles to biomass production and eutrophicationDiagram the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles
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Explain how urban systems differ from other ecosystems, relative to high energy inputs and degradation, high nutrient inputs and concentrated outputs, altered hydrological cycles, simplified food webs and low species diversity.Assessment StrategiesExam, Written productCriteriaList the characteristics of ecosystemsDescribe the urban ecosystemList the sources of energy for urban ecosystemsDescribe the effect of landfills on nutrient cycling in urban ecosystemsDescribe the effect of the urban environment on the hydrologic cycle
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Evaluate the roles of various inter- and intra-specific relationships in the development and maintenance of communities.Assessment StrategiesExam, lab demonstrationCriteriaDefine communityTest self-generated hypotheses concerning inter- and intra-specific competition in plantsTest self-generated hypotheses about the impact that a species removal will have on a community, based on food web and interaction diagrams of that communityExplain the species conceptContrast various mechanisms proposed for the formation of speciesExplain the concepts of ecological niche and carrying capacity
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Evaluate various natural resource management strategies.Assessment StrategiesExam, lab demonstrationCriteriaUse population viability analysis to predict the effect of different management scenarios and stochastic events on populations of the eastern timber wolfSummarize the debate regarding the ecosystem management strategyAssess the impact of exotic speciesExplain the application of island biogeography theory to natural resource management strategiesEvaluate key components of restoration ecology
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Use appropriate resources to access information.Assessment StrategiesWritten productCriteriaUse abstracting sources to locate scientific citationsSearch relevant and appropriate sources of literature when seeking informationSelect appropriate types of literature when searching for specific informationCite literature in format identified by the instructorLocate specific information in the library or on the internet using key words, phrases, and author's names
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Create a natural history report on selected North American flora and fauna.Assessment StrategiesSkill demonstration-Specimen preparationWritten ProductCriteriaCollect and prepare a floral or faunal specimen according to the stated instructionsPaper details the natural history of a selected organism (niche, habitat)Locate appropriate sources of information.Use binomial nomenclature.Use species identification keys.