Professor R. Robberecht
Department of Rangeland Ecology
Environmental Science Program
Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
College of Natural Resources
University of Idaho



 

Ecology online (REM 221, Section 40 Outreach, 3 credits) | Fall Semesters

Course Description: Fundamental principles of ecology. Major topics covered by the course include the physical environment, how organisms interact with each other and their environment, evolutionary processes, population dynamics, communities, energy flow and ecosystems, human influences on ecosystems, and the integration and scaling of ecological processes through systems ecology. Computer-based materials are used extensively for guided independent learning in this course.

 

Course Objectives
To convey the principles of ecology
Provide examples from ecological studies
Illustrate the application of ecological principles to the management of ecosystems

Student Learning Objectives - To Achieve Competence in ...
The physical aspects of the environment
Relationships between organisms and their environment
The structure and function of ecosystems

 

 Human influences on the global environment

 

Student Learning responsibilities
Students are responsible for learning independently to master the course material with the materials provided (e.g., interactive audio lecture slide presentations, interactive lessons, textbooks, and sample examination questions). It is therefore your responsibility: (1) to keep up with the course schedule (see Reading assignments), (2) to regularly review the course announcements posted online (Announcements section), and (3) to regularly study and review previous course material while you learn new material.

 

Textbooks
[Order online: University of Idaho Bookstore | Amazon.com* | Textbooks online*]

Required textbook
Elements of Ecology, 7th Edition. R.L. Smith & T.M. Smith (2009)
 Optional online study guide from the textbook publisher (used books may not have the coupon for registration)

Recommended textbook
Instant Notes in Ecology. 2nd edition. Mackenzie et al. (2001)

Recommended references
Oxford Concise Dictionary of Ecology. M. Allaby (2004)
A Dictionary of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. R.J. Lincoln et al. (1998)
Units, Symbols, and Terminology for Plant Physiology. F.B. Salisbury (1996)
Dictionary of Word Roots & Combining Forms. Borror, D.J. (1960)

*These links are provided for your convenience. The University of Idaho and the professor have no connection with, and do  not endorse or support these companies.

 

Ecology is a comprehensive scientific discipline that is essential to your understanding complex interrelationships in nature. It is essential that you take the initiative to seek out additional readings in ecological journals, books, and magazines at your university.

Written examinations There will three examinations during the course. Your proctor will administer the examination at a pre-arranged time and location. Sample examination questions will be posted in the Study section approximately two weeks prior to each examination. Use these questions as only one of several study guides to review the course material.

Your graded examination will be available to you for review in the presence of your proctor throughout the semester. All examination copies must be remain secured with the proctor; you cannot keep or make any copies of the examinations.

 

Schedule for examinations

Event

Date | Exam period: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Examination I (1 hour)  Monday, October 5
Examination II (1 hour) Monday, November 2
Final examination (comprehensive) (2 hours)  Thursday, December 17
For on-campus students enrolled in Section 40, the written examinations will be given at the same time as for in-class students (1:30 - 2:20 p.m.) at the University of Idaho Counseling & Testing Center. You must make arrangements to the testing center to take your quizzes examinations. There is a small one-time fee required for this service, payable at the University of Idaho Counseling & Testing Center.

 

*Examination and final grading scale

Event

Percent

Final Grade
(% of total points)
Examination I

25%

 A (90-100%)
Examination II

25%

 B (80-89%)
Quizzes (based on 10 quizzes**)

15%

 C (70-79%)
Final examination

35%

 D (60-69%)

Total

100%

 F (< 60%)
 *All quizzes and examinations use the Blackboard course system (log in) and must be proctored
**There will be more than 10 quizzes during the semester; only the top ten scores will be used in your course grade.
 
Note. The grade level of "A" represents outstanding performance on the examinations, and the attainment of high competence in the basic principles of ecology and the student learning objectives listed above.

Important dates

Event

Date
Final date for adding a course via UI Web August 31
Labor Day - no class session September 7
Final date to withdraw from courses without a grade of "W"  September 18
Final date for withdrawal from course with a grade of "W"  October 30
Fall recess - no class sessions  November 23 - 27

 

 

Course outline

*Highlighted section headings or subheadings are linked to lecture slide presentations
 

 

 
I. INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY
  Readings: Smith & Smith, Chapter 1 & Glossary
    Mackenzie et al., Section A
  Lecture Course introduction
  Study Interactive study lesson on "Introduction to Ecology"
    Interactive games on "Events in ecology"
  Handouts Landmark events in ecology by Brewer on UI eReserve (1994)
UI Library eReserve user name and password required
 SI units
SI units summary online (NIST)

    A. History

      1. Origins and scope of ecology

        a. Major ecologists and organizations
        b. Divisions of ecology
        c. Professional societies, journals & books
        d. Landmarks in the history of ecology (Handout, Brewer 1994)
        e. International System of units

 

 
II. ECOLOGY OF INDIVIDUAL ORGANISMS
  Readings: Smith & Smith, Chapter 5
    Mackenzie et al., Sections B1 & B2

    A. The nature of species

      1. Definitions and scope
      2. Definition and scope of ecotypes

    B. Relationships to the abiotic environment

    C. Range of the optimum

      1. Liebig's Law of the Minimum
      2. Shelford's Law of Tolerance
      3. Physiological or potential range and optimum
      4. Ecological range and optimum
      5. Environmental gradients

    D. Phenotype and genotype

    E. Acclimation and adaptation

    F. Energy balance

    G. Animal behavior

    H. Evolutionary considerations

      1. Fitness
      2. Proximate and ultimate factors
      3. Adaptation

 

III. THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT & ORGANISMAL ADAPTATIONS
  Readings: Smith & Smith, Chapters 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 & 8
    Mackenzie et al., Sections C - F
  Handouts Wavebands

    A. Energy balance

      1. Solar and terrestrial radiation [Solar radiation | Photobiology]
      2. Convection, conduction, and latent heat [Energy balance]
      3. Topographic factors and climate [Climate]

        a. Influence of slope and aspect
        b. Graphing and interpreting climate

  • EXAMINATION I: Monday, October 5

      • 4. Terrestrial versus aquatic environments

    B. The response of organisms to their environment

      1. Water relations of organisms

        a. Terrestrial and aquatic water supplies
        b. Transpiration and mechanisms of water transport

          i. Soil water content
          ii. Plant and soil water potential
          iii. Soil water availability
          iv. Permanent wilting point

      2. Photosynthesis

        a. Light, nutrients, water factors
        b. C4, C3, CAM photosynthesis
        c. Productivity

      3. Oxygen exchange and respiration

        a. Adaptations in plants and animals

     

     

 
IV. POPULATIONS: GROWTH & DENSITY
  Readings: Smith & Smith, Chapters 9, 10, 11, & 12
    Mackenzie et al., Sections H, M, O, V, & W
  Review Human population growth

    A. Structure of populations

      1. Birth and death, distribution, dispersion, and density
      2. Demography: life tables, survivorship curves

    B. Growth of populations

      1. Biotic potential or intrinsic rate of increase
      2. Modeling population growth
      3. Age structure

    C. Regulation of populations

      1. Density-dependent and density-independent regulation
      2. Models

    D. Fluctuations and cycles of populations

    E. Evolutionary considerations

      1. Natural selection
      2. r-and k-selection
      3. Evolution of behavior
      4. Group selection
      5. Coevolution
      6. Extinction

    F. Human population structure and growth

      1. Trends and consequences
      2. Influence on the earth and global environmental problems

       

 
V. THE POPULATION - COMMUNITY ECOLOGY INTERFACE: SPECIES INTERACTIONS
  Readings: Smith & Smith, Chapters 13, 14, 15
    Mackenzie et al., Sections I - L, & N
  Study Interactive study lesson on "Species interactions"
  Handout Summary table of interactions

    A. Interactions between and among species

      1. Intra- and inter-specific interactions
      2. Introduction and definitions of major species interactions

    B. Herbivory and predation

      1. Trophic interactions
      2. Optimal foraging
      3. Types of herbivores

        a. Plant response to herbivory
        b. Coevolution
        c. Effects on plant productivity
        d. Examples

      4. Types of predators

        a. Predator-prey models
        b. Effects of predators on population size and fluctuation
        c. Defense strategies against predation
        d. Examples

    C. Parasitism, commensalism, protocooperation, and saprobism

      1. Parasitism

        a. Types and prevalence of parasites
        b. Parasite-host interactions
        c. Evolutionary considerations
        d. Examples

      2. Commensalism, protocooperation, and saprobism

        a. Examples
        b. Evolutionary considerations
        c. Effects on the ecosystem

    D. Neutralism and amensalism

      1. Definitions and examples

    E. Allelopathy and competition

      1. Allelopathy

        a. Definition, occurrence, and examples
        b. Evolutionary considerations

      2. Competition

        a. Definition and occurrence
        b. Experimental evidence
        c. Examples
        d. Comparison of competition in plant and animal populations
        e. Evolutionary considerations

          i. The concept of niche and guild
          ii. Character displacement
          iii. Competitive exclusion
          iv. Coexistence

    F. Mutualism

      1. Definition and types of mutualism
      2. Examples
      3. Evolutionary considerations

    EXAMINATION II: Monday, November 2

     

 
VI. COMMUNITY & ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY
  Readings: Smith & Smith, Chapter 16
    Mackenzie et al., Sections P, Q, & R

    A. The concept of community and ecosystem

      1. Definitions of a community and ecosystem
      2. The system concept
      3. Indirect effects

    B. Community structure

      1. Dominance
      2. Chemical ecology
      3. Species composition
      4. Spatial structure
      5. Synusia and guild
      6. Temporal structure

    C. The niche concept and biodiversity

      1. Fundamental versus realized niche
      2. Niche partitioning
      3. Niche breadth and overlap
      4. The hypervolumne and niche models

    D. Community organization and the role of competition

    E. The integrated versus individualistic community

      1. Comparisons with discrete and continuum theories
      2. Theoretical versus practical considerations

    F. Diversity indices

 

VII. COMMUNITY STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT
  Readings: Smith & Smith, Chapter 17w 18w & 19
    Mackenzie et al., Sections P, Q, & R

    A. Definition and concepts of the community

    B. Types of community change

    C. Analysis of plant communities

      1. Development of communities

        a. Succession

          i. Primary and secondary succession
          ii. Climax
          iii. Stability

      2. Structure and development of animal communities
      3. Examples of sampling methods

    D. Types of communities

      1. Major communities types of the world
      2. Convergent communities
      3. Landscape ecology

     

 

VIII. ECOSYSTEMS - ENERGY FLOW
  Readings: Smith & Smith, Chapter 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, & 29
    Mackenzie et al., Section P
  Handout: Table 12-4 on NPP of ecosystems

    A. Ecosystem and biome concepts

      1. History and examples
      2. Ecosystem modeling and regulation

    B. Humans and ecosystems

      1. Global environmental problems

        a. Stratospheric ozone depletion
        b. Global climate change
        c. Human population growth

    C. Trophic levels and food webs

      1. Ecosystem energetics
      2. Producers, consumers, and decomposers
      3. Energy pyramids and biomass

    D. Energy flow and productivity

      1. Energy flow through trophic levels
      2. Gross and net primary productivity
      3. Examples

    E. Influence of humans on ecosystem processes

    F. Biogeochemical cycling

      1. Carbon cycle
      2. Nitrogen cycle
      3. Phosphorus cycles
      4. Sulfur cycle
      5. Hydrological cycle

 

IX. ECOSYSTEMS OF THE WORLD - A SURVEY
  Readings: Smith & Smith, Chapters 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, & 29
    Mackenzie et al., Section S
  Study Interactive study lesson on "Biomes"

    A. Introduction

      1. Physiognomy
      2. The concept of biome

    B. Terrestrial ecosystems & biomes

    C. Aquatic ecosystems & biomes

    D. Global change: Ecosystems & biomes

    FINAL EXAMINATION: Thursday, December 17

 
X. Environmental considerations
 

Optional  

 readings: Mackenzie et al., Section T, U, & X

 

 

 

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