Ecology of the City, ENV 408-001 Spring 2014 Instructor: Dr. Kirsten Schwarz Office: Natural Science Center (SC) Room 152 Office Hours: Tuesdays 1-4 pm OR by appointment Phone: 859-572-5303 Email: schwarzk1@nku.edu Catalog Description: ENV 408 Ecology of the City (4 credits) Hours: 3 classroom + 3 lab/studio Prerequisites: BIO 304, GEO 418 Taught: Spring only-even years Using ecological theory to understand the links between the structure and function of cities. Topics covered include socio-ecological frameworks, solutions to modern environmental concerns as they relate to urban areas, the role of interdisciplinary research in urban ecology, human-environment interactions, and creating sustainable cities. Text: Urban Ecosystem Ecology, 1 st ed., 2010. Aitkenhead-Peterson and Volder (Eds). American Society of Agronomy. 354 pages. ISBN: 978-0891181750. Course Description Our world is becoming increasingly more urbanized with 80% of the U.S. population and 50% of the global population residing in cities. This class presents urban areas as ecological systems through lecture, primary literature, and class discussion. We will start with an introduction and brief history of the development of urban ecology. We will then cover various tools and frameworks that are used to study urban systems. This will provide the necessary background to investigate topics typically covered in an ecology course (climate, soil, water, air, and wildlife) within an urban setting. Finally, the course will look towards the future and address ecosystem services, sustainability, resilience, design, and education in urban ecosystems. Course Objective: The objective of this course is to encourage critical thinking about humanenvironment interactions and the ecology of cities. A second objective is for students to be able to apply frameworks learned in this course to future scenarios, specifically sustainability planning. Student Learning Outcomes: 1. Through active participation in this course, students should be able to describe the principles and concepts of urban ecology. 2. Students should understand how cities function as ecosystems. 3. Students should improve their ability to think critically, apply frameworks to future scenarios, and understand the use of GIS in decision making.
Student Learning Assessment: Students will be assessed on the background and issues surrounding urban ecology with four homework assignments, discussions, three exams, and one comprehensive final exam. Students will improve their ability to think critically through assigned readings and discussions of primary scientific literature, which will be assessed by class participation. Assessment of abilities to think critically, apply frameworks to future scenarios, and understand the use of GIS in decision making will be through the laboratory portion of the course and will include assignments throughout the semester, culminating in an endof-semester final project and presentation. Exams Three exams (short answer, essay) and a comprehensive exam. Assignments There will be four homework assignments distributed throughout the class. Each homework assignment will be in short answer/essay format. Student Discussion of Assigned Readings For several classes there is a reading assigned from the primary literature (represented in italics) that will be discussed at the beginning of class. All students are expected to complete the reading and come prepared to class to discuss the reading. Assigned students will summarize the reading and lead a class discussion on the reading. The Breakdown: Points Percent Exams (3) 300 30% Final Exam 150 15% Assignments 100 (4 @ 25 pts each) 10% Discussions 100 (10 @ 10 pts each) 10% Class Participation 50 5% Grade 300 30% Total = 1000 points 100% Class participation It is expected that you will come to class prepared to contribute to class discussions. Your participation is valued and is crucial to the success of this class. Grades will be given according to the following scale: A 94 100% C+ 77 79% A- 90 93% C 73 76% B+ 87 89% C- 70 72% B 83 86% D+ 67 69% B- 80 82% D 60 66% No late assignments will be accepted. There will be no make-up exams. The best way to pass this class: Attend class, takes notes, study notes and read assigned material. I will post my Powerpoints on Blackboard; however, these are merely outlines of material, dominated by figures and photos.
CLASSROOM POLICIES 1. Turn off cell phones before class starts. No texting or talking on the phone in lecture. (see more on electronics below) 2. Do your own work. You may discuss course concepts with your peers, but homework should be written and completed by the individual. (see cheating below) 3. Understand plagiarism and how to paraphrase and cite properly. Plagiarism is cheating and goes against the NKU Student Honor Code. (see cheating below) 4. Be on time to class and do not pack up early. This is extremely disrespectful and disruptive to your classmates and the instructor. In addition, you may miss important class information and updates. 5. Grades cannot be given to students over the phone or via email. Grades will be posted in your Blackboard-Gradebook and on items handed back in class. Cheating/Academic Honesty: This Student Honor Code [the "Honor Code"] is a commitment by students of Northern Kentucky University, through their matriculation or continued enrollment at the University, to adhere to the highest degree of ethical integrity in academic conduct. It is a commitment individually and collectively that the students of Northern Kentucky University will not lie, cheat, or plagiarize to gain an academic advantage over fellow students or avoid academic requirements. All students should view the following web sites and familiarize themselves with the Student Honor Code and Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities: http://nkuonline.nku.edu/smartcatalog/honor-code.htm http://nkuonline.nku.edu/smartcatalog/student-code-of-conduct.htm ***Please be aware that turning in the same homework answers as another student is cheating (see honor code) and will result in zero points*** Electronics (cell phones, laptops, etc.): Cell phones and other electronic messaging devices should be turned off during class time. I-pods, computer games, and other entertainment devices are not acceptable in the classroom. Using laptop computers in class for any purpose not directly related to BIO 406 is unacceptable. If you have a legitimate and urgent family or business matter that requires you to bring an electronic device into the classroom, I expect you to use the silencer function if possible and to sit near the door so you can exit quickly and deal with your messages outside the classroom. Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments, auxiliary aids or services) for this course must register with the Disability Services Office. Please contact the Disability Service Office immediately in the University Center, Suite 320 or call 859-572-6373 for more information. Verification of your disability is required in the Disability Services Office for you to receive reasonable academic accommodations. Visit the Disability Services website at http://disability.nku.edu/. Attendance: Attendance is required in lab, but not in lecture. If you miss a class you are responsible for the material covered in your absence. You will need to get all material from a fellow student. Notes placed on Blackboard are not a suitable substitute for missing class.
NKU Help Desk Information: Telephone: (859) 572-6911, Location AC 109 Blackboard and Student Help: http://it.nku.edu/itsc/training/bbresourcesstu.php Email Account: http://it.nku.edu/students/email/index.php Student Achievement Center: http://sac.nku.edu/ Learning Assistance Programs: http://lap.nku.edu/ IMPORTANT DATES for Spring Semester 2014: MON, Feb 3 Last Day to Drop without a grade on Transcript MON, Mar 24 Last Day to Drop with a W on Transcript DISCLAIMER: The schedule below is tentative and subject to change *** Use Blackboard and a calendar to help you keep up-to-date in this course! *** Week Topic Textbook Chapters 1/13 T: Introduction: What is urban ecology? R: Urban Ecology through Time 1/20 T: Urban Ecology across Space R: Tools to Study UE: Ecology of versus Ecology in Urban Systems 1/27 T: Tools to Study UE: Integrated Socio-Ecological Frameworks R: Tools to Study UE: Describing Urban Landscape structure 2/3 T: Urban Biogeochemistry (N and C) R: Urban Biogeochemistry (P) Supplemental Reading Pages 1-3 in Urban Ecology (Ed: Gaston, 2010) and Radiolab podcast Cities available at: http://www.radiolab.org/2010/o ct/08/ Excerpt from The Nature of Cities (Light, 2009) Cities: The Century of the City (Nature, 467, 900-901, 2010) Pages 3-4 in Urban Ecology (Ed: Gaston, 2010) and Integrated Approaches to Long-Term Studies of Urban Ecological Systems (Grimm et al. 2000) An integrated conceptual framework for long-term social ecological research. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment (Collins et al. 2010) Spatial Heterogeneity in Urban Ecosystems: Reconceptualizing Land Cover and a Framework for Classification (Cadenasso et al. 2007) A distinct urban biogeochemistry? Kaye et al. (2006) Trends in Ecology and Evolution 21(4):192-199 http://www.theevergladesstory. Other HW1 assigned HW1 DUE
org/- view animation on P and Lake Okeechobee 2/10 T: Review R: EXAM 1 2/17 T: Urban Climate R: Air Pollution 2/24 T: Urban Water Pollution R: Urban Riparian Ecology Ch. 13 &15 Heat Islands and Cities lead the way in climate-change action (Nature Commentary, October 2010) HW2 assigned 3/3 T: Urban Soil R: Urban Soil 3/10 T: NO CLASS (Spring Break) R: NO CLASS (Spring Break) Ch. 7 HW2 DUE 3/17 T: Urban Wildlife R: Invasive Species Ch. 5 HW3 assigned 3/24 T: Review R: EXAM 2 HW3 DUE 3/31 T: Ecosystem Services R: The Ecology of Environmental Justice in Urban Areas 4/7 T: Sustainability in Urban Systems R: Resilience in Urban Systems 4/14 T: Film Critique R: Film Critique Ch. 18 Coupling biogeochemical cycles in urban environments: ecosystem services, green solutions, and misconceptions (Pitaki et al. 2011) An assessment and explanation of environmental inequity in Baltimore (C.G. Boone 2002) Making the Case for Landscape Ecology: An Effective Approach to Urban Sustainability (Wu 2008) Ecological resilience - in theory and application (Gunderson 2000) e 2 PBS series HW4 assigned 4/21 T: Urban Design R: Teaching and Learning about Urban Ecosystems 4/28 T: EXAM 3 R: Review Designed experiments: new approaches to studying urban ecosystems (Felson and Pickett 2005) Beyond urban legends: an emerging framework of urban ecology, as illustrated by the Baltimore Ecosystem Study (Pickett et al. 2008) HW4 DUE 5/5 FINAL EXAM
Ecology of the City, ENV 408-001 oratory Spring 2014 Instructor: Dr. Kirsten Schwarz Office: Natural Science Center (SC) Room 152 Office Hours: Tuesdays 1-4 pm OR by appointment Phone: 859-572-5303 Email: schwarzk1@nku.edu Text: None Required Student Learning Outcomes: 4. Students will apply their knowledge of common GIS techniques to urban ecosystems. 5. Students should improve their ability to think critically, apply frameworks to future scenarios, and understand the use of GIS in decision making. Grading Policy: Your grade will be based on participation, homework, and a final project that includes a written component and a presentation. Attendance for all laboratory meetings in ENV 408L is mandatory. Do not be tardy; showing up late disrupts the class. If you miss a meeting for medical reasons, you must give the instructor a written statement to that effect signed by the attending physician. If you missed a meeting for a non-medical emergency, you must submit appropriate written documentation of the emergency; however, acceptance of an excuse for a non-medical emergency is at the discretion of the instructor. If a meeting is missed due to a situation that could have reasonably been anticipated, you will lose participation points. You must submit excuses within three days after missing a lab. oratory Assignments (due at the beginning of lab): Homework assignments will accompany some of the labs. Assignments are due on the dates posted below. There are no possibilities for extra credit projects to improve your lab grade. Class Project: Evaluating Sustainability Plans The purpose of the class project is to encourage critical thinking about human-environment interactions and apply frameworks learned in this course to future scenarios, specifically sustainability planning. Students will collaborate in teams of 3 or 4 to evaluate one of the following sustainability plans: Portland, OR - http://www.portlandonline.com/portlandplan/ New York, NY - http://www.nyc.gov/html/planyc2030/html/home/home.shtml Marin County, CA - http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/cd/main/fm/cwpdocs/cwp_execsum.pdf Fort Collins, CO - http://www.fcgov.com/planfortcollins/ Northampton, MA - http://www.northamptonma.gov/aboutnorthampton/sustainability_plan/
Each team will evaluate the plan based on several topics. The topics include: Climate Change Social Equity Land use Air Quality Water Transportation Energy conservation/renewable Energy Waste Reduction Food Production Health and Safety Biological Conservation There are two components to this project a group presentation and a written report. The presentation will be completed as a team effort and the written reports will be completed individually by each student. Each component is described below. Presentation: Each team will give a 20 minute class presentation using PowerPoint. The presentation needs to include 3-5 minutes addressing the team s focal sustainability plan and relevant background information on the city and 3-5 minutes exposing the process of evaluating the plan. The remainder of the time should be used to cover the critique of the plan, making sure to address all topics. Written evaluations: Each individual will submit a summary report of their findings (doublespaced, at least 3 pages but no longer than 5 pages). Students will be assigned 2 (out of the above 11) topics to discuss in detail and evaluate how the assigned plan addressed those topics. If the plan failed to address a topic, the student should include ideas on how to incorporate that topic into a future sustainability plan. Students should also speak to any additional topics they feel should be included in sustainability planning and provide a justification. The point values for the lab are as follows: Assignments (4 @ 20 pts each) 80 points Final Project - Report 100 points Final Project - Presentation 75 points Participation (15 meetings * 3 pts) 45 points Total Points 300 points Grades will be given according to the following scale: A 94 100% C+ 77 79% A- 90 93% C 73 76% B+ 87 89% C- 70 72% B 83 86% D+ 67 69% B- 80 82% D 60 66% NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Other Important Information Cheating/Academic Dishonesty: This Student Honor Code [the "Honor Code"] is a commitment by students of Northern Kentucky University, through their matriculation or continued enrollment at the University, to adhere to the highest degree of ethical integrity in academic conduct. It is a commitment individually and collectively that the students of Northern Kentucky University will not lie, cheat, or plagiarize to gain an academic advantage over fellow students or avoid academic requirements. All students should view the following web sites and familiarize themselves with the Student Honor Code and Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities: http://nkuonline.nku.edu/smartcatalog/honor-code.htm http://nkuonline.nku.edu/smartcatalog/student-code-of-conduct.htm ***Please be aware that turning in plagiarized lab reports is cheating (see honor code) and will result in zero points*** MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND PLAGIARISM! Electronics (cell phones, laptops, etc.): Cell phones and other electronic messaging devices should be turned off during class time. I-pods, computer games, and other entertainment devices are not acceptable in the classroom. Using laptop computers in class for any purpose not directly related to ENV408 is unacceptable. Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments, auxiliary aids or services) for this course must register with the Disability Services Office. Please contact the Disability Service Office immediately in the University Center, Suite 320 or call 859-572-6373 for more information. Verification of your disability is required in the Disability Services Office for you to receive reasonable academic accommodations. Visit the Disability Services website at http://disability.nku.edu/. NKU Help Desk Information: Telephone: (859) 572-6911, Location AC 109 Blackboard and Student Help: http://it.nku.edu/itsc/training/bbresourcesstu.php Email Account: http://it.nku.edu/students/email/index.php Student Achievement Center: http://sac.nku.edu Learning Assistance Programs: http://lap.nku.edu
Schedule: Note that this is a tentative schedule. Changes will be posted in Blackboard, which you should check regularly. Week Topic Activity/Assignment Location 1/13 Introduction to Study Sites 1/20 Background Research on Study Sites 1/27 The Role of GIS in Sustainability Planning 2/3 Working with Biogeophysical Data 2/10 Working with Biogeophysical Data Homework 1 DUE 2/17 Working with Social Data Homework 2 DUE OKI 2/24 Working with Social Data 3/3 Integrating Datasets 3/10 NO CLASS (Spring Break) NO CLASS (Spring Break) 3/17 Integrating Datasets 3/24 Spatial Analyses 3/31 Spatial Analyses Homework 3 DUE 4/7 Addressing Community Questions 4/14 Addressing Policy Homework 4 DUE 4/21 PRESENTATIONS REPORT DUE 4/28 PRESENTATIONS DISCLAIMER: The schedule above is tentative and subject to change