Fall 2001
John E. Havel, Ph.D.
307 KGSX, 836-5308
email:
jeh694f@missouristate.edu
D. Alexander Wait, Ph.D.
248 TEM, 836-5802
email:
daw385f@missouristate.edu
An in-depth study of the ecology of wetlands, with an emphasis on freshwater wetlands occurring in Missouri. Readings and lectures/discussions will focus on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of wetlands; the different types of wetlands; and their history and management. The course is lab intensive, and will include several field trips.
Lab – most Tuesdays 12-2 (KGSX 308) and two weekends
(see schedule)
Lecture – Tues and Thurs 11-12 (KGSX 217)
Prerequisites: BIO 369 and CHM 160 or 105
Keddy, P.A. 2000. Wetland ecology: principles and conservation. Cambridge University Press. (required)
US Army Corps of Engineers. 1987. Wetlands delineation manual. Technical Report Y-87-1. http://www.wetlands.com/regs/tlpge02e.htm
Miscellaneous nature guides and identification keys (optional)
Exams 2 @ 20% each =40
Presentation (journal article)=10
Participation in lab and discussion=20
Lab reports=30
TOTAL=100%
Final grades are based upon the percentage of total points:
90-100%=A
80-89=B
70-79=C
60-69=D
<60=F
1. Lab is a vital part of the class. More than two unexcused absences will result in automatic failure of the course.
2. Field trips will go rain or shine. Dress accordingly and beware of natural hazards.
3. Lab reports will be assigned for many of the laboratories. Some may involve pooled class data, but the writing and interpretation should be done individually. Guidelines will be provided prior to the first assigned lab report.
4. Reading assignments will be announced.
5. Two exams are scheduled (Oct 23 and Dec 11). Exams will be based on material from lecture, discussion, lab, and the reading assignments.
6. Missed exams will be made up during the final exam period and be all essay in format.
7. During several class periods, students will take turns giving presentations on journal articles. Guidelines will be given later.
8. We expect academic honesty of all our students. Any instance of cheating, such as copying from an exam or plagiarism, will result in failure of the course. Plagiarism refers to copying someone else’s writing (even a single sentence), without giving proper credit to the source. Details on university policies are given in the Missouri State Academic Affairs web site: http://www.missouristate.edu/acadaff/AcademicIntegrity.html
9. Some of you may need assistance with your writing. The Missouri State Writing Center offers numerous services and can be contacted at 836-6398.
10. Some of you may need accommodation for a physical or learning disability. Numerous campus resources are available to help you. For information, call Disability Support Services at 836-4192 (or see their web site: http://www.missouristate.edu/disability/). Please visit with us about your situation and we will make every attempt to facilitate your full participation in class.
11. The university adheres to a strict nondiscrimination policy, which both instructors fully support. Concerns should first be brought to our attention and/or to the Biology Department Head, Steve Jensen, at 836-5302. Further inquiries should be directed to the campus Affirmative Action Officer, Jana Long, at 836-4252.
LAB SCHEDULE*
Aug 21 Field trip: tour of local wetlands (& soil and plant collections)
Aug 28 Wetland plant identification and NWI classification
Sep 4 Wetland plant identification (cont.)
Sep 11 Interpretation of topographic maps
Sep 18 Soil analysis (Ben Fuqua @ ___ Karls Hall)
Sep
25 Prep for delineation lab, Journal
club (JC)
(Refer to Corps of Engineers delineation manual—web site)
Sep 29 (Saturday 9AM) Field trip: wetlands delineation
Oct 2 Delineation data analysis
Oct 9 Prep for SE Missouri trip
Oct 12-14 (weekend) Extended field trip: wetlands of southeast Missouri (Mingo, Duck Creek, and Mississippi River)
Oct 16 SE Missouri data analysis and discussion
Oct 23 Midterm exam
Oct 30 Egg and seed bank, JC
Nov 6 Open lab, JC
Nov 13 Open lab, JC
Nov 20 Field trip: Design an artificial wetland
Nov 27 Design an artificial wetland (cont.): analysis
Dec 4 Open lab, JC
Dec 11 (11 AM) Final exam
* Labs and exams are during the 3-hour Tuesday period, except where noted.
Aug 21 & 23
Introduction: distribution and types of wetlands (JH & AW)1
Aug 28&30
Distribution and types (cont.), wetlands delineation (AW & JH)
Above uses Text Chapter 1
Sep 4 & 6
Zonation and succession (AW)
Above uses Text Chapter 2
Sep 11 & 13
Biodiversity and its controls (JH)
Above uses Text Chapter 3
Sep 18 & 20
Hydrophytes and their adaptations (AW)
Above uses Text Chapter 3
Sep 25 & 27
Animals and their life histories, diapause, and dispersal (JH)
Above uses Text Chapter 3
Oct 2 & 4
Hydrology and its effects on wetlands (JH)
Above uses Text Chapter 4
Oct 9 & 11
Biogeochemical cycling, fertility, and production (AW)
Above uses Text Chapter 5
Oct 16 & 18
Biogeochemical cycling, fertility, and production (cont.) (AW)
Above uses Text Chapter 5
Oct 23 & 25
Disturbance and its impacts on communities (AW)
Above uses Text Chapter 6
Oct 30 & Nov 1
Burial: sedimentation and the time dimension for communities (JH)
Above uses Text Chapter 9
Nov 6 & 8
Competition (AW)
Above uses Text Chapter 7
Nov 13 & 15
Predation and food webs (JH)
Above uses Text Chapter
Nov 20
Values of wetlands (JH); No class Thursday (Thanksgiving)
TBA
Nov 27 & 29
Destruction of wetlands: trends and economic values (AW)
TBA
Dec 4
Wetland restoration and remediation
TBA
** Listed readings are from Keddy (2000). Additional readings from articles and web sites may also be added.
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Questions? Comments? Contact Dr. Havel. Copyright 1999 John E. Havel |