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Geography 384 Landscape Ecology Fall 2011

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Joy Wolf
CLASS TIME:   Thursday: 2:00 – 5:00pm
EMAIL:             wolf@uwp.edu
OFFICE:           Molinaro 247
OFFICE HRS:   T: 10:30-11a, Th: 1-1:45p, or by appt

Landscape ecology is the study of how spatial patterns affect ecosystem processes and how ecological and geological processes can influence natural patterns in an ecosystem. We will build upon the basics of biogeography and ecology to examine ways in which spatial heterogeneity is interpreted and study the impact of human modifications in a landscape. Some questions we will explore are: where are species found in a landscape?, at what level in the landscape are they interacting with each other or with the environment?, how do species spatial patterns respond to human modifications?, what do we know from research in landscape ecology in order to better manage landscapes?, why would we want to manage a landscape?

Photos from previous classes

Required Text: Landscape Ecology in Theory and Practice: Pattern and Process. Turner, M. G., R. H. Gardner, and R. V. O’Neill. Springer-Verlag, New York. 401 p.

Required Lab Manual: Learning Landscape Ecology: A Practical Guide to Concepts and Techniques. S. E. Gergel and M. G. Turner, eds. Springer Verlag. *some lab assignments will be given as homework.

Grading is based on three exams (40 %), lab exercises and other assignments (25 %), research paper presentation (15 %), research discussion participation (15 %), and class participation/attendance (5 %).

Prerequisite: GEOG 100, GEOG 326, or a course that focuses on ecology; OR instructor’s consent.

The course is based on lectures, labs, article discussions and field trips. Here are more photographs of a past field trip. Hawthorn Hollow

Lecture/Discussion.

Each student will develop a short presentation and lead a thoughtful discussion of a pertinent peer-reviewed article that focuses on key concepts and current issues in landscape ecology. Students will select a topic, research the literature (at least three approved articles on the issue) and lead the class in a discussion on one of the articles. Your introduction should include the significance of the topic, and its relationship to landscape ecology. You should lead the class to facilitate students in discussing the methods from the literature, results, the importance, and implications for the future. ALL students will read the one chosen article so that everyone can participate in the discussion. Topics need to be approved by October 11th. No two individuals can pick the same topic. First requested, first approved. The presentation will include an introduction (what you are going to talk about and why do we care about the topic), and its relationship to landscape ecology. The discussion should include methods used, results, the importance of spatial pattern and dynamics, and implications for the future.

Peruse the textbook and lab book for possible topics in landscape ecology. And you can visit these sources for more information:

• International Association of Landscape Ecologists

• Some of the journals that contribute to landscape ecology issues are Landscape Ecology, Conservation Biology, Ecology, and Journal of Biogeography but this is just to name a few.

ALL students will read the focus article so that everyone can participate in the discussion. Topics and list of articles must be approved by October 11th. No two individuals can pick the same topic. First requested, first approved.

Here are just a few possible landscape ecology topics/issues.

· 1. Quantifying the effects of habitat fragmentation or loss.

· 2. Are National Parks or USFS Lands of sufficient size to sustain biotic populations and natural processes over the long term?

· 3. Related to above –topics could be chosen for a particular animal species with large home ranges (such as bison, wolf, cougar, etc.); or process, such as fire or grazing.

· 4. Studying effect of spatial pattern and landscape disturbances– fires, hurricanes, windstorms on vegetation patterns, cover types, different stages of recovery, homogeneous vs. heterogeneous landscapes, etc.

· 5. Urban planning to retain open space (“greenways”), land left intentionally as fields and forests, while other areas are developed for homes and businesses.

· 6. Quantifying and mediating the effects of exotic plant species invasion in an area.

· 7. Metapopulation models for a specific plant or animal species: what are they and how they work

· 8. Dispersal and migration of plants and animals; use of corridors, landscape connectivity.

· 9. Spatial pattern (heterogeneous vs. homogeneous landscapes) and dispersal ability of predator and prey

· 10. Use of landscape ecology in aquatic – study of riffle, cobble, and sandy substrates in streams and patch distribution of fish

· 11. Effects of alternative harvesting regimes and the effect on a specific animal or plant species.

· 12. Quantifying land-use change on composition and pattern (changes in vegetation, species, disturbance regimes, water flow, settlement patterns, corridors.).

Lecture Schedule and Assigned Readings

Please Note: During the course of this semester, the schedule may change if the opportunity of a field trip to a prescribed burn becomes available. This will be weather dependent.

Week	Topics *all lab assignments are due the following week they are assigned	Text/Lab Chapter
Sept 8	Introduction to Landscape Ecology Landscape Principles Campus Hike	Text: Ch 1
Sept 15	The Concept of Scale Lab Assignment: Scale / Hierarchy Theory, Read Chapter 2 for content	Text: Ch 2 Lab: Ch 1 and 2
Sept 22	Introduction to Models Lab Assignment: Intro to GIS	Text: Ch 3 Lab: Ch 3
Sept 29	Causes of Landscape Pattern Patch Dynamics, Edges and Ecotones Lab Assignment: Simulating Changes in Landscape Pattern LAB 3 Assigned. Spatial Lab Take Home Exam	Text: Ch 4 Lab: Ch 5
Oct 6	Quantifying Landscape Pattern (Read Lab Ch 7, 8, 10 for content) Mosaics/Networks	Text: Ch 5
Oct 13	Field Trip Alt: Lab: Creating Landscape Pattern Lab Presentations	Lab: Ch 6
Oct 20	Neutral Landscape Models (Read Lab Ch 9 and Ch 15 for content) Student Discussion of Article	Text: Ch 6 Lab: Ch 9, 15
Oct 27	Landscape Disturbance Dynamics Read Lab Ch 11 for content Student Discussion of Article	Text: Ch 7 Lab: Ch 11
Nov 3	In Class Exam
Nov 10	Organisms and Landscape Pattern Lab Assignment: Interpreting Landscape Patterns from Organism-based Perspectives Student Discussion of Article	Text: Ch 8 Lab: Ch 13
Nov 17	Organisms and Landscape Pattern, Continued Choice of 1 Lab : 1. Landscape Context or 2. Individual-Based Modeling: Bachman’s Sparrow Student Discussion of Article	Lab: Ch 14 OR 16
Nov 24	Thanksgiving Break. No Class Today.
Dec 1	Lab Ch 13, 14, 16 Presentations Ecosystem Processes in the Landscape, Part 1 Student Discussion of Article	Text: Ch 9
Dec 8	Ecosystem Processes in the Landscape, Part 2 Lab Assignment: Feedbacks in Organisms & Ecosystem Processes Read Lab Ch 17 for content Student Discussion of Article	Text: Ch 9 Lab: Ch 18
Dec 15	Applied Landscape Ecology Article discussion with TNC Forest Ecologist Lab Assignment: Reserve Design Student Discussion of Article	Text: Ch 10 Lab: Ch 19
Dec 22	Final Exam: 1:00p - 3:00p