INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Joy Wolf
CLASS TIME: Tues 2:00 – 5:00 pm
EMAIL: wolf@uwp.edu
OFFICE: Molinaro 247
OFFICE HOURS: T/Th: 10:30-11a, 1-1:45p
Class Objectives: Students learn about the fundamentals of biogeography
- the study of
spatial and temporal distributions of organisms and the factors that
influence those distributions. Topics include geologic, evolutionary,
and glacial patterns, post-glacial species migrations, human
impacts, restoration ecology, and biological invasion. Students participation in article discussions, group debates,
research presentation, and field outings is required.
Field and Poster Images:
2007
Prerequisite:
Geography 100, a basic
ecology course, or consent of professor.
Required text: C. Barry
Cox and Peter D. Moore, Biogeography: An Ecological and
Evolutionary Approach, 2010. EIGHTH EDITION, Wiley
Class
Activities.
In-class exercises and field trips will focus on specific topics in
biogeography and Wisconsin ecosystems.
Homework assignments are always due before the next class begins.
Students should come to class prepared!
Exams
include everything in class
including textbook, lectures, discussions, field trips, posters, videos and
other
exercises.
Exam
questions require problem solving and are challenging! If you have a documented disability that will
impact your learning, please contact me in the first two weeks to discuss
your needs. You may want to register with Disability Services in WYLL D175.
Class Project.
Each
student will research and present a poster on a topic in biogeography. The
poster should represent a scientific paper, with an introduction that
provides background about the topic, an objective of the research, methods
used, results, YOUR conclusions, significance and a bibliography of least 3
peer-reviewed references. Other guidelines are given on an evaluation
form. I encourage you to research the many topics in the textbook ahead of
time. Similar to a national conference, you will prepare a 6 minute oral
presentation on your poster-practice your time! Faculty from
Geography, Biology, Anthropology, and Geosciences will be invited and may
attend. You will evaluate other posters for clarity, completeness and
creativity. Have fun with this exercise! Creating and presenting a
research poster prepares you for future conference presentations. An
abstract of your idea and a list of references must be approved by March 8th.
The poster session will take place on April 5th.
Grading:
Based on a total score for the following:

Exams 1, 2, and Final
50%
Biogeography Poster 15%
Poster Presentation and Evaluation 15%
Field and class exercises
20%
Attendance and Participation

Please
see me if you are having problems or if something isn’t working for you. To
survive this class, have a high level of commitment, respect, come to
every class, participate, and take copious notes.
NOTE:
Students are captivated by internet use or
texting on their cell phones. Not only does it take your focus away from
YOUR learning, it is disruptive to your fellow students and to me and it’s
just plain rude. Please refrain or risk having your cell phone brought to
the front of the room until the end of class.
Lectures, Exercises, and Reading Assignments – SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Check D2L and email OFTEN for weekly assignments.
|
Day |
Topics |
Readings |
|
Jan 19 |
History of Biogeography |
Ch 1 |
|
Jan 26 |
Patterns of Distribution |
Ch 2 |
|
Feb 2 |
Communities and Ecosystems |
Ch 3 |
|
Feb 9 |
Patterns of Biodiversity |
Ch 4 |
|
Feb 16 |
Plate Tectonics, Evolution of Biosphere
EXAM: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4
|
Ch 5 |
|
Feb 23 |
Source of Novelty |
Ch 6 |
|
Mar 1 |
Island Biogeography: Life, Death and Evolution on
Islands |
Ch 8 |
|
Mar 8 |
Abstracts/References
DUE
Living in the Past: Bio-Geologic Time Line
|
Ch 10 |
|
Mar 15 |
SPRING BREAK – NO
CLASS
|
|
|
Mar 22 |
The Geography of Life Today: Mammals and Flowering
Plants, Biogeographic Realms |
Ch 11 |
|
Mar 29 |
EXAM: Chapters 5, 6, 8, 10, 11
Ice and Change: Glaciation |
Ch 12 |
|
Apr 5 |
Student Poster Session |
|
|
Apr 12 |
The Advent of Humanity: Post-glacial species
migrations
Human History, Human impact on species distributions
|
Ch 13 |
|
Apr 19 |
Field: Ephemeral Ponds, Ecosystem development |
|
|
Apr 26 |
Into the Future: Transformation, Global Change,
Conservation
http://www.opb.org/programs/invasives/videos.php?page=full |
Ch 14 |
|
May 3 |
Field Trip: Identification of spring and tree
species |
|
|
May 10 |
Final Exam (posters,
chapters 12, 13, 14, field trips)
|
|
|