SEMESTER AT SEA COURSE SYLLABUS Colorado State University, Academic Partner Voyage: Spring 2019 Discipline: Life Science / Landscape Architecture Course Number and Title: LIFE/LAND 220 Fundamentals of Ecology Division: Lower Faculty Name: Susan Sherrod Semester Credit Hours: 3 Prerequisites: One (1) 3-credit college-level biology course AND one (1) 3-credit college-level mathematics course COURSE DESCRIPTION Ecology is the exploration of the myriad interactions among organisms and their environments. The goal of this Ecology course is to familiarize you with basic ecology concepts and equip you with tools to apply them at different scales (local to global), to various environments (terrestrial, aquatic, and urban), and in the field at ports of call. We will consider the perspectives of various ecological subdisciplines (e.g., ecosystem, landscape, community, population, microbial) throughout the course to best understand the many ways to study and describe ecological dynamics. Global and regional trends in climate, productivity, biome distribution, and biodiversity will be revisited throughout the course in anticipation of each port. Energy, nutrients, and water are unifying themes that will guide our studies of ecosystem productivity, environmental controls, trophic interactions, soil development, watershed science, and pollution. Concepts of diversity, disturbance theory, and restoration will also be discussed. LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1. Recognize the interactions between organisms and their environment as drivers of species diversity and abundance. 2. Understand different influences of scale (microbial to landscape) in ecological dynamics. 3. Apply increasingly complex ecological insights to observations made in ports of call. 4. Discern the influences of anthropogenic development and conservation efforts on natural ecosystems. REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AUTHOR: TITLE: PUBLISHER: Rick Relyea and Robert Ricklefs Ecology: The Economy of Nature W.H. Freeman and Company
ISBN #: DATE/EDITION: 1-319-06041-2 (Kindle Edition) 9781319060411 (Print Edition) 2018/8 th Edition TOPICAL OUTLINE OF COURSE Lecture Number/ Date B1 Jan 8 B2 Jan 10 B3 Jan 13 B4 Jan 15 B5 Jan 18 B6 Jan 21 B7 Jan 23 B8 Jan 30 B9 Feb 7 B10 Feb 15 B11 Feb 18 Topics Reading/ Assignment Depart Ensenada, Mexico January 5 Introductions, Course overview Lecture: Ecology and its Subdisciplines; Scale Ch 1 Lecture: Global Distribution of Biomes; Hawai i Ecosystems and Conservation Issues Chs 5-6 Honolulu, Hawaii January 12 Hawai i Debrief Lecture: Climate and Soil Chs 5-6 Lecture: Island Biogeography and Global Ch 22; Brashares et al. Biodiversity 2001 January 16 International Date Line crossing (Lost Day) Lecture: Biodiversity and Conservation Ch 23 Study Day (No Class) January 19 Lecture: Watersheds; Great Pacific Garbage Gall and Thompson 2015 Patch Lecture: Adaptations in Aquatic Environments; Ch 2, Ch 4 pp. 80-92 Japan Ecosystems and Conservation Issues Kobe, Japan January 24-28 Japan Debrief Lecture: China Ecosystems and Conservation Ch 3, Ch 4 pp. 93-103 Issues; prep for field trip; Adaptations in Terrestrial Environments Shanghai, China January 31 - February 1 FIELD TRIP Jan 31 In Transit February 2-3 Hong Kong, SAR February 4-5 China Debrief Alberti et al. 2003; Lecture: Urban Ecology; Vietnam Ecosystems Sushinsky et al. 2013; NYT and Conservation Issues article (2018) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam February 8-13 Vietnam Debrief Ch 20 Lecture: Productivity and Energy Cycling Community Programming (No Class) February 16 Lecture: Water and Nutrient Cycling; Myanmar Ch 21 Ecosystems and Conservation Issues
Lecture Number/ Date B12 Feb 25 B13 Feb 27 B14 Mar 8 B15 Mar 10 B16 Mar 13 B17 Mar 15 B18 Mar 17 B19 Mar 25 B20 Mar 27 B21 Mar 29 B22 Apr 5 B23 Apr 7 B24 Apr10 B25 Apr 18 Topics Reading/ Assignment Yangon, Myanmar February 19-23 Myanmar Debrief WWF Shanghai reflection Lecture: Community Structure due; Ch 18 Lecture: India Ecosystems and Conservation Midterm Exam Issues Cochin, India February 28 March 5 Community Programming (No Class) March 7 India Debrief Paper TBD Lecture: Disturbance Lecture: Succession; Mauritius Ecosystems Ch 19 and Conservation Issues Port Louis, Mauritius March 11 Mauritius Debrief Ch 7 Lecture: Evolution and Adaptation Lecture: Reproductive Strategies Ch 9 Lecture: Population Dynamics over Space and Time South Africa Ecosystems and Conservation Issues Cape Town, South Africa March 18-23 South Africa Debrief Lecture: Predation and Herbivory Lecture: Restoration Ecology (Restore ecosystems, conserve species) Lecture: Competition Ghana Ecosystems and Conservation Issues Takoradi, Ghana March 30 - April 1 Tema, Ghana April 2-3 Ghana Debrief Lecture: Topics in Global Climate Change: Impacts Lecture: Topics in Global Climate Change: Adaptation and Management Study Day (No Class) April 8 Lecture: Mutualism Morocco Ecosystems and Conservation Issues Casablanca, Morocco April 11-15 Study Day (No Class) April 16 Morocco Debrief Arrive Amsterdam, The Netherlands April 21 Ch 13; Wasser 2010 Ch 14 Turn in cross-biome comparisons Ch 16 Paper TBD IPCC (2014) pp. 93-112 Ch 17 Final Exam
FIELD WORK Semester at Sea field experiences allow for an unparalleled opportunity to compare, contrast, and synthesize the different cultures and countries encountered over the course of the voyage. In addition to the one field class, students will complete independent field assignments that span multiple countries. The field class for this course is on Thursday, January 31, in Shanghai, China. Field Class attendance is mandatory for all students enrolled in this course. Do not book individual travel plans or a Semester at Sea sponsored trip on the day of your field class. Field Classes constitute at least 20% of the contact hours for each course, and are developed and led by the instructor. Field Class Title: Ecology of the Yangtze Watershed Description: Students will go to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) office in Shanghai, China, to learn about the diversity of habitats within the Yangtze River Watershed and about local conservation initiatives. Three Gorges Dam was a major recent disruption to Yangtze watershed function, but unprecedented economic growth represents a stress of similar or greater magnitude. Numerous habitats (e.g., high-altitude forests, the estuary to the East China Sea, and wetlands) will be discussed as well as iconic species including the snow leopard, giant panda, and Yangtze finless porpoise. Objectives: 1. Recognize the aortic importance of rivers and how they tie together ecological features and functions upstream to downstream and at multiple scales of analysis. 2. Analyze the direct and indirect impacts of different disturbances to ecosystem structure and function within the Yangtze River watershed. 3. Evaluate the goals, objectives, and effectiveness of local conservation efforts. Assignment (in 2 parts): (Part 1) Choose a major project of the WWF in Shanghai. Explain the motives for and goals, strategies, and successes of the initiative. What are lessons learned from these efforts? As a biologist and/or administrator, what weak points (if any) do you identify in the program and how would you change them? On the field trip be sure and ask questions to help you complete this assignment. (Part 2) Based on what you know about ecological structure and function and the stressors on these natural attributes, what major initiative do you think would be appropriate for the WWF Shanghai office? Explain why you chose this, and provide a basic framework for the effort to ensure success. As you brainstorm, be sure to consider possible initiatives in urban areas (although your suggestion doesn t have to have an urban focus). Creativity counts. (For example, the title of the initiative might be Reintroduction of native flora in municipal parks, Shanghai. ) Please do discuss with me if you re not sure.
Your grade will be based on writing quality, creativity, and thoughtfulness. 5 pts extra credit if you have a classmate read a draft for quality (and sign and date it). Turn in the reviewed draft with the final. This field trip report can be a component of the biome summary (Independent Field Assignments, below), but should be a more detailed investigation than the other two biomes because of the dedicated class time. Due Date: February 25 (B12) Independent Field Assignments Plan ahead: choose one port representing each of the following biomes: temperate forest, tropical forest, and shrubland. Keep a field journal of your observations. Electronic journals are acceptable but hard copy is preferred. Include graphic documentation, whether sketches (don t worry about your drawing skills) and/or photographs. Questions to bear in mind: - What biome are you exploring? - What did you do while in-country? - What ecosystem(s) did you observe? Urban areas count, but train equal time on more biological systems. - What sort of development did you observe? Roads, infrastructure for water/power, urban, agricultural, industrial - Address the questions pertaining to the field trip (above). When you have compared a port representing each of the three biomes, summarize your observations in a table. Attach it to the journal. Due date: March 27 (B20) METHODS OF EVALUATION Component of Grade Total Points Percentage of Grade Daily quizzes (23 @ 10 pts each) 230 43 Exams (2) 200 37 Field Day, Cross-Biome Comparison, Journal, and Analysis 110 - Field trip participation (55) - 3 biomes (55) 20 Total 540 100 Quizzes are passed out at the beginning of class and all students will have 10 minutes to complete and hand in the quiz. Unfinished quizzes will be turned in at the end of 10 minutes (arrive on time). There will be no makeup quizzes.
GRADING SCALE The following Grading Scale is utilized for student evaluation. Pass/Fail is not an option for Semester at Sea coursework. Note that C-, D+ and D- grades are also not assigned on Semester at Sea in accordance with the grading system at Colorado State University (the SAS partner institution). Pluses and minuses are awarded as follows on a 100% scale: Excellent Good Satisfactory/Poor Failing 97-100%: A+ 93-96%: A 90-92%: A- 87-89%: B+ 83-86%: B 80-82%: B- 77-79%: C+ 70-76%: C 60-69%: D Less than 60%: F ATTENDANCE/ENGAGEMENT IN THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM Attendance in all Semester at Sea classes, including the Field Class, is mandatory. Students must inform their instructors prior to any unanticipated absence and take the initiative to make up missed work in a timely fashion. Instructors must make reasonable efforts to enable students to make up work which must be accomplished under the instructor s supervision (e.g., examinations, laboratories). In the event of a conflict in regard to this policy, individuals may appeal using established CSU procedures. LEARNING ACCOMMODATIONS Semester at Sea provides academic accommodations for students with diagnosed learning disabilities, in accordance with ADA guidelines. Students who will need accommodations in a class, should contact ISE to discuss their individual needs. Any accommodation must be discussed in a timely manner prior to implementation. A letter from the student s home institution verifying the accommodations received on their home campus (dated within the last three years) is required before any accommodation is provided on the ship. Students must submit this verification of accommodations to academic@isevoyages.org as soon as possible, but no later than two months prior to the voyage. STUDENT CONDUCT CODE The foundation of a university is truth and knowledge, each of which relies in a fundamental manner upon academic integrity and is diminished significantly by academic misconduct. Academic integrity is conceptualized as doing and taking credit for one s own work. A pervasive attitude promoting academic integrity enhances the sense of community and adds
value to the educational process. All within the University are affected by the cooperative commitment to academic integrity. All Semester at Sea courses adhere to this Academic Integrity Policy and Student Conduct Code. Depending on the nature of the assignment or exam, the faculty member may require a written declaration of the following honor pledge: I have not given, received, or used any unauthorized assistance on this exam/assignment. RESERVE BOOKS FOR THE LIBRARY None FILM REQUEST None ELECTRONIC COURSE MATERIALS: AUTHOR: Alberti, M., J.M. Marzluff, E. Shulenberger, G. Bradley, C. Ryan, and C. Zumbrunnen ARTICLE/CHAPTER TITLE: Integrating humans into ecology: opportunities and challenges for studying urban ecosystems JOURNAL/BOOK TITLE: BioScience VOLUME: 53 DATE: 2003 PAGES: 1169-79 AUTHOR: Gall, SC., and R.C. Thompson. ARTICLE/CHAPTER TITLE: The impact of debris on marine life. JOURNAL/BOOK TITLE: Marine Pollution Bulletin VOLUME: 92 DATE: 2015 PAGES: 170-9 AUTHOR: Brashares, J.S., P. Arcese, and M.K. Sam ARTICLE/CHAPTER TITLE: Human demography and reserve size predict wildlife extinction in West Africa JOURNAL/BOOK TITLE: Proc. R. Soc. Lond. VOLUME: 268 DATE: 2001 PAGES: 2473-8 AUTHOR: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) CHAPTER TITLE: Topic 4: Adaptation and Mitigation BOOK TITLE: Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report
PUBLISHER: IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland WEB: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syr/ DATE/EDITION: November 2014 PAGES: 93-112 AUTHOR: Sushinsky, J.R. J.R. Rhodes, H.P. Possingham, T.K. Gill, and R.A. Fuller CHAPTER TITLE: How should we grow cities to minimize their biodiversity impacts? JOURNAL/BOOK TITLE: Global Change Biology VOLUME: 19 DATE: 2013 PAGES: 401-10 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES None