AESP 260 Systems Ecology is an introduction to the science of ecology, building on concepts and information introduced in ENVR 160, 161 and other first year ENVR courses. Emphasis is placed on the basics of ecology, and will focus on the structure and function of various communities including alpine, subalpine, wetland, and riparian ecosystems. The labs will explore various methods of sampling, analyzing and reporting on the physical site factors, vegetation and wildlife components of these communities.
Prerequisites: ENVR 160 and ENVR 163 and ENVR 170 all with a minimum grade of 60%
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 75 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 2 |
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| Lab (lab, field, computer) | 3 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Classify wetlands and assess their ecological function
- Communicate scientific findings in oral and written formats for both a public and professional audience
- Apply methods for sampling the subalpine environment and monitoring forest health
- Apply methods for sampling riparian health and evaluate the use of riparian legislation in both urban and rural environments
- Describe human-modified systems in the region and analyze whether current management practices are sustainable
- Conduct preliminary screenings and environmental field assessments to be used for the impact assessment process
- Integrate ecological knowledge into GIS and rural/ urban planning projects
- Apply adaptive models to restoration case studies
- Integrate community ecology, ecosystem and climate change knowledge to help predict ecosystem responses
Teaching and Learning Approach
One can expect to work in small groups collecting data but submit assignments independently. Peer and self-
evaluation tools will be taught and applied. Applied data analysis and visualization techniques emphasized.Learning Resources
Recommended:
Kimmins J.P. 2004. Forest Ecology: A Foundation for Sustainable Forest Management and Environmental Ethics
in Forestry, 3rd edition. Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
Arno and Hammerly. 1984. Timberline: Mountain and Arctic Forest Frontiers. The Mountaineers.
Delesalle, Bruce. 1998. Understanding Wetlands. A Wetland Handbook for BC’s Interior. Ducks Unlimited.
Korner, C. 2003 Alpine plant life. Springer.
MacKenzie, W.H. and J.R.Moran. 2004. Wetlands of British Columbia: a guide to identification. Management
Handbook No. 52. Resource Branch, B.C. Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C.
Molles MC, Laursen A. 2020. Ecology: concepts and applications. Fifth Canadian Edition. Toronto, Ontario:
McGraw-Hill Ryerson.
Parish, Coupe, and Lloyd. 1999. Plants of Southern Interior B.C. Lone Pine.
Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. 1. Introduction to ecology, levels of organization, and scientific method.
2. 2. Skattebo field trip: vegetation plot layout and data collection
3. 3. Fall field trip (with Pete and Doris)
4. 4. On your own Plant id practice and wetland herbarium submission
5. 5. Subalpine ecosystems, species interactions, whitebark pine case study
6. 6. Wetlands, classification, and ecological function
7. 7. Species distributions and Niche
8. 8. Environmental Impact Assessments
9. 9. Integrated Project Full day Thursday. Environmental Impact Assessments
10. 10. Riparian Management
11. 11. Ecosystems and climate change
12. 12. Invited speaker
13. 13. Ecological Restoration /Community - Landscape Ecology
14. 14. Climate change presentations
15. 15. Exam Week
Assessment
| Title |
Learning Outcomes |
Value |
| Task 1 Collect and produce a wetland herbarium |
|
5% |
| Task 2 Defend the classification and assessment of a wetland (report) |
|
10% |
| Task 3 Demonstrate plant identification skills (quiz) |
|
5% |
| Create table of wetland types and their characteristics |
|
5% |
| Task 5 Midterm |
|
15% |
| Task 6 Recommend management in a subalpine elevation environment (report) |
|
15% |
| Task 7 Assess riparian management and communicate outcomes by email |
|
5% |
| Task 8 Recommend actions to alleviate environmental impact and communicate findings to stakeholders |
|
10% |
| Task 4 Appraise an ecosystem issue and its relation to climate change (presentation) |
|
10% |
| Task 10 Final Exam |
|
20% |
| Total |
100% |
Grading Table
Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table
| Percentage | Letter Grade | GPA |
| 90-100 | A+ | 4.33 |
| 85-89 | A | 4.00 |
| 80-84 | A- | 3.67 |
| 76-79 | B+ | 3.33 |
| 72-75 | B | 3.00 |
| 68-71 | B- | 2.67 |
| 64-67 | C+ | 2.33 |
| 60-63 | C | 2.00 |
| 55-59 | C- | 1.67 |
| 50-54 | P | 1.00 |
| 0-49 | F | 0.00 |
| | DNW | 0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.