Introduction to Ecology

Transcription

1 Introduction to Ecology Course Number: BIO 110 Term: Summer, 2018 Instructor * : Thomas M. Smith Dates: July 9 th August 10 th Institution: University of Virginia Meeting Times: M, T, W, Th, F tms9a@virginia.edu Office Hours: TBD and by appointment *Additional instructor information available on final page I. Course Description: In this general introductory course we will explore the subset of biology that examines the interaction of organisms with their environment ecology. We will begin by introducing basic concepts of genetics as they apply to the understanding of adaptation by natural selection, and the process of speciation. We then examine the topic of adaptions of plant and animal species to different environmental conditions, both on the land and in the water. We will then explore populations the collective of individuals of the same species, and how the processes of birth and death drive population dynamics, and the factors that regulate population growth. We then turn our attention to ecological communities, and how they are structured by the variety of interactions that occur among species of plants and animals. We will develop and understanding of how ecological communities interact with the physical and chemical environment in the context of the ecosystem. Finally we will examine how climate influences the distribution of ecosystems, and the specific patterns of ecosystems that are found in the region of China. II. Learning Objectives: 1) To understand the scientific method and the interpretation of scientific data and concepts. 2) To develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. 3) Describe the basic genetics of inheritance. 4) Describe the process of natural selection, and how it can lead to species adaptations to the environment. 5) To understand how the patterns of birth and death govern population growth rate, and what factors can regulate population growth. 6) Understand the variety of species interactions that occur within ecological communities and how they determine patterns of ecological diversity.

2 7) To understand the processes that influence changes in ecological communities. 8) Develop an understanding of how energy moves through ecosystems and what factors influence the flow of energy through different ecosystems. 9) To understand the basic biogeochemical cycles and how the process of decomposition drives the cycling of nutrients in ecosystems. 10) Understand how communities and ecosystems interact in the context of the landscape. 11) Understand the factors influencing the distribution and productivity of both land and aquatic ecosystems. 12) Describe the major ecosystems of the China region. III. Required Textbook and Course Materials: Title: Elements of Ecology Edition: 9 th Author: Thomas M. Smith and Robert L. Smith, Benjamin Cummings, Pearson Education ISBN-10: ISBN-13: Specific sections from the textbook chapters will be assigned for each lecture topic. In addition to the textbook readings, additional readings, lecture slides, outlines and study guides will be posted on the course web site. IV. Language of Instruction: This course is taught entirely in English, including lectures, homework, assignments and examinations. Teaching assistants will be fluent in both English and Mandarin. V. Course Prerequisites: None. University Policies Attendance Summer courses are very intensive and in order to be successful, students need to attend every class. Attendance is required for all lectures and in class activities. If you need to miss a day of class, make sure you speak with the course instructor first. Otherwise the absence will be unexcused. If you need to miss class due to illness, please bring a doctor s note. Unexcused absences will negatively impact your grade, and university policy states that students with three or more unexcused absences will be referred to the Dean s office and face automatic failure of this course.

3 Academic Dishonesty All cases of academic dishonesty will be diligently pursued. Academic dishonesty includes representing the work of another as one s own work or cheating by any means. Academic dishonesty also includes aiding, abetting, concealing or attempting such activity. The penalty is automatic failure of the course and possible suspension from the university. Grading Scale Student grades will be determined using the following grading scale: Grading Scale (%) A C A C A C B D B D B D F Course Policies: Instructor Policies All course deliverables (homeworks and tests) are due on time as assigned. This course includes no make-ups, postponements or additional assignments, except for verified medical emergencies. If you miss an exam/assignment due to a non-verifiable absence, your score on that exam/assignment will be zero.

4 Grade Components Test 1 18% Test 2 18% Test 3 18% Test 4 18% Test 5 18% Attendance 10% Total 100% Tentative Course Schedule Date Week One July 09 July 13 Week Two July 16 July 20 Week Three July 23 July 27 Week Four July 30 August 03 Lecture Topics Ecological Genetics Adaptation, Natural Selection and Speciation (Chapter 5) Plant Adaptations (Chapter 6) Animal Adaptations (Chapter 7) Test 1 Populations Properties of Populations (Chapter 8) Population Growth (Chapter 9) Life History (Chapter 10) Population Regulation (Chapter 11) Test 2 Species Interactions Competition (Chapter 13) Predation (Chapter 14) Parasitism (Chapter 15) Mutualism and Facilitation (Chapter 15) Test 3 Ecological Communities Structure of Ecological Communities (Chapter 16) Community Dynamics (Zonation and Succession) (Chapters 17 and 18) Landscapes and Spatial Ecology (Chapter 19) Test 4

5 Week Five August 06 August 10 Ecosystems Ecosystem Energetics (Chapter 20) Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling (Chapter 21) Biogeography Ecosystems of China (Chapters 23 and 24) Test 5 Meet your Instructor Thomas M. Smith Institution: University of Virginia Education Background: Ph.D. University of Tennessee Biography: My major research interest has been the development of an individual-based theory of vegetation dynamics. The focus of the research is to examine how basic physiological and morphological constraints operating at the level of the individual plant influence pattern and process at higher levels of organization (i.e., populations, communities and ecosystems). This interest has led me to pursue a variety of studies to address the mechanisms of plant pattern across a wide range of scales. These studies have ranged from the development of individual-based ecosystem models to laboratory and field experiments examining the response of plants to environmental gradients. Most recently my research has turned to the development and application of models to explore the response of the terrestrial biosphere to environmental change. Current work is focusing on the potential impacts of rising concentrations of atmospheric CO2, and associated changes in the global climate system on terrestrial ecosystems. Specific studies have examined: (1) the potential impacts of a climate change on global patterns of vegetation distribution, and (2) how the predicted changes in vegetation distribution will influence the role of the terrestrial biosphere in the global carbon cycle.