Biology 535 Spring 2010

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BIOLOGY 535 – PLANT ECOLOGY

GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION

Instructor Dr. Douglas Deutschman, Professor of Biology

Contact Information

Office: PS-150A (Physical Sciences Bldg) Phone: 594-5391 Email: ddeutschman@sciences.sdsu.edu

Office Hours Tuesdays 1230 to 130 Thursdays 930 to 1030

Course Description

Plant adaptation and response to living and non-living environment including aspects of plant evolution, demography, ecophysiology community and ecosystem dynamics and soil-plant relationships. Terrestrial systems emphasized.

Meeting Times

and Classrooms

4 units: 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab

Lecture: T/Th 1100–1215 LS 134 Lab: Th 1230-1510 LS 126

Prerequisites Biology 203, 203L, 204, 204L.

Strongly recommended: Biology 215, 354.

Textbook Gurevitch, Scheiner and Fox. The Ecology of Plants, 2nd edition. Published in 2006 by Sinauer Associates, Inc.

COURSE GOALS AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES This course is an introduction to plant ecology. We will be studying the role of plants communities in the structure and function of the ecosystem across a fragmented landscape. Through the lectures, readings, assignments, group presentations, field trips, and computer labs you will gain a broader understanding of the key concepts in plant ecology and get experience in applying these concepts by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data from several local plant communities.

At the end of the course students will be able to: Understand the key principles of plants’ interactions with abiotic and biotic components of

ecosystems Observe natural systems and take detailed field notes about plants within their habitats Plan and execute a survey of a vegetation community Learn, use, and apply statistical software to enter data, graph and analyze data, test hypotheses, and

interpret results from data collected in the field. Read, evaluate and communicate scientific information (data and research papers) in a critical

manner

Over the course of the semester, students will learn: Major concepts in modern plant ecology from the response of individual plants to their local

environment to the role of plants in ecosystems and the global climate system How to search for, select, read, and synthesize information from the primary literature in plant

ecology How to design, carryout, and analyze data from studies of plant communities How to present and evaluate scientific findings

Biology 535 Spring 2010

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GRADING AND ASSIGNMENTS

Assessment of learning will consist of two exams, a group projects and many smaller writing assignments, homework, and quizzes. Participation in lab and field exercises is crucial and will count toward your final grade.

Final Grades will be calculated out of 500 points using the following:

Major Exams (250 points) Group Project (150 points) Other Work (100 points) Midterm Exam – 100 pts Presentation 1 – 50 pts Quizzes, Homework – 50 pts Final Exam – 150 pts Final Presentation – 100 pts Participation – 50 pts

MISSED ASSIGNMENTS AND EXAMS If illness or other serious problem beyond your control prevents you from completing an assignment or exam on time, you are expected to provide some kind of verification of the reason, such as a note from student health services.

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES I expect all students to adhere to the university guidelines for responsible behavior and good citizenship. For more information on the standards for student conduct, visit the center for student rights and responsibilities at www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/conduct1.html . The center for student rights and responsibilities also explains the student has a right to expect professional conduct from faculty in the assignment and grading of work and provides a process for grievances (www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/rights2.html)

CSU FURLOUGH INFORMATION

The California State University (CSU) defines a “furlough” as “a mandated period of time off without pay.” As a result of devastating California state budget cuts, faculty and staff at SDSU are prohibited from working on two days per month (and a total of 4 days in one single month) during the 2009-10 academic year. The faculty furlough plan prohibits professors from teaching, being on campus, and consulting with students during furlough days. Exact dates designated as “furlough days” vary from person to person. During the Spring 2010 semester, the furlough days for Dr. Deutschman are:

Jan: 28 Feb: 12, 15 Mar: 8, 24 Apr: 14, 23 May: 11, 21

Note: classroom days which are cancelled due to furlough are underlined

Biology 535 Spring 2010

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TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Any changes to this Syllabus will be announced in class and updated on the Class Syllabus in Blackboard

Tue Topic Thu Topic Lab Topic Activity

19-Jan No Class 21-JanWelcome, Introduction to

Plant Ecology21-Jan

Introduction to Plant

Ecology Lab, Exercises

26-Jan Photosynthesis and Light 28-JanDeutschman on Furlough,

Lecture Cancelled28-Jan

Deutschman on Furlough,

Lab Cancelled

2-Feb Water and Energy 4-FebSoils, Nutrients and

Belowgound Processes4-Feb

Analysis of Data: Salt,

inundation

9-FebSalt and Inundation -

Tijuana Estuary11-Feb Field Trip 1 - Tijuana Estuary 11-Feb Field Trip 1 - Tijuana Estuary

16-Feb Population Modeling 18-Feb Simple Population Models 18-Feb Leslie Matrices

23-FebDemography of long-lived

plants - Torrey Pine25-Feb Field Trip 2 - Torrey Pines 25-Feb Field Trip 2 - Torrey Pines

2-MarReproduction and

Recruitment4-Mar Midterm Exam 4-Mar Lab Cancelled

9-Mar Invasion and Non-natives 11-MarIntroduction to Group 3 -

CSS and Chaparral11-Mar Field Trip 3 - MTRP (I)

16-MarVeg. comm: richness,

eveness, physiognomy18-Mar

Competition, Herbivory,

and Pathogens18-Mar Field Trip 3 - MTRP (II)

23-Mar Disturbance and Succession 25-MarFire in Vegetation

Communities25-Mar

Group Presentations

(Literature Review)

30-Mar Spring Break 1-Apr Spring Break 1-Apr Spring Break

6-Apr Ecosyste Processes 8-Apr Communities in Landscapes 8-AprSpatial Ecology - Measuring

Spatial Pattern

13-Apr Landscape Ecology 15-Apr Climate and Biomes 15-AprSpatial Ecology - Describing

Spatial Pattern

20-AprRegional and Global

Diversity22-Apr

Biodiversity and Ecosystem

Function22-Apr

Silwood Biodiversity - Data

Analysis

27-AprPaleoecology

(Schellenberg?)29-Apr Global Climate Change 29-Apr

Group Projects - Data

Analysis and Powerpoint

4-May Discussion 6-May Review for Final Exam 6-MayGroup Presentations -

PARTY

11-MayDeutschman on Furlough,

Lecture Cancelled

20-May Final Exam: 10:30 to 12:30