Week 1 - 27 Aug. 2013 Introductions and definitions

We reviewed these documents: AUC academic policies, grading policies, syllabus

Extra credit quiz given

Many types of forests –

**Tropical forests occupy 7% of earth’s surface, but include 50% of the world’s biodiversity!**

Biodiversity = Biological richness of an area, usually defined as the number of species.  Example: 3 doves, 5 parrots, 2 woodpeckers = diversity of 3.

Tropical rainforests – 57% are located in the Neotropics (Western Hemisphere). (30% rainforests are in Brazil)

(Extra note: At the current deforestation rate, in 177 years all tropical rainforests will be gone.  We will find out what that means for the rest of the earth as we learn about the functions of rainforests.)

Ecology = The scientific study of the interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment. 

Living organisms can be grouped together into communities – all the organisms in an area.

Example - Aquatic community = frogs, egret, fish, dragonflies, turtles, aquatics plants such as cattails, reeds. 

What separates this from other communities?  The ecosystem. 

A Forest community is different = woodpeckers, tako (cuckoos), beetles, tree snakes, tarantulas, palm trees, ferns, etc.

Ecosystem = the system embracing the organisms plus their physical environment.

Environment is composed of both biotic – living, biological things                                                             & abiotic factors.  – chemical and physical   examples = water quality, temp etc.

Scientific method:

1.      Make observations      The forest has a lot of birds, the forest will be destroyed for houses

2.      Ask questions              How will deforestation affect the birds?

3.      Form hypothesis (tentative answer to the question)   Deforestation will reduce the number of birds.

4.      Make predictions based on the hypothesis                 10 % reduction in trees will reduce bird population by 10%

5.      Test the predictions through observation or experiments                   Measure size of forest and number of birds before and after houses are built,

6.      Make conclusions based on the predictions.  Yes, deforestation reduced the number of birds.

The key to the scientific method is that you can TEST it, and REPEAT the test!

How to convey this to scientific community?  One way is through publishing scientific articles.

We reviewed parts of scientific articles using mangrove article.

Homework – Read mangrove paper and turn in questions at beginning of class next week.

AUC Academic Integrity Policy Summary

In the sciences, violations of academic integrity may result in being fired and prevent you from finding another job in your field.

Violations of Academic Integrity at AUC

Fabrication

• Fabrication is falsifying, making up, or inventing any information or citation in an academic work.   
• Do not make up data for a lab.   
• Do not make up information for a research paper.

Cheating

• Using books, notes, calculators, and cell phones during quizzes or test (unless told by the instructor to do so).
• Talking during quizzes or tests.
• Doing homework, research papers, quizzes, or tests for others.

Plagiarism

• Plagiarism is the representation of the words or ideas of another as your own in any academic work.
• This includes copying answers from a classmate!
• To avoid plagiarism, every direct quotation must be identified by quotation marks and must be cited properly according to the accepted format.
• When any source is paraphrased or summarized you must provide proper citation.

Students who commit these violations will receive a zero on their homework, paper, quiz, or test, with no chance to redo the work.  A repeat offense will be referred to the AUC Academic Committee who will decide the academic fate of the student.

For the entire academic integrity policy and consequences of such actions, see the American University of the Caribbean Academic Integrity Policy.

Grading policy

Here is what I am looking for in homework assignments and responses on quizzes and tests:

• Did you answer the question correctly, which includes completely.
• Did you answer the question thoughtfully.
• Did you answer the question thoroughly.

In general, short quizzes and homework assignments will be 10 points each.   

• 9 points will be given if all questions are answered correctly and completely.   
• The 10^th point will be reserved for excellent work in which the questions were answered thoroughly and thoughtfully. 
• Points (or fraction of points) will be subtracted for each incorrect (or partially incorrect) answer.  
• No points will be given for questions that are left unanswered.

You will not be allowed to make up quizzes.

• You can only take quizzes during the class in which they are administered.   
• Thus it is in your best interest to not miss class!

Homework must be turned in by the date it is due.   

• You will receive a zero on late assignments.   
• You may turn in homework before it is due.

At the end of the semester you may drop the lowest quiz or homework grade. 

• So if you miss taking a quiz you will be able to drop it at the end of the semester. 
• If you miss 2 or more quizzes, you still will only be able to drop one quiz.

English and grammar – 

• To help you with your English, I will make minor corrections to your writing but not take off points.  
• If I can’t make sense of your sentence I will take off points.   
• If you define terms wrong, I will take off points.

If you cheat or plagiarize you will receive a zero on the assignment, quiz, or test!  See the AUC Academic Integrity Policy.

Welcome to Forest Ecology

This is the blog for For420, Forest Ecology, taught by Debbie Baker at the American University of the Caribbean in Les Cayes Haiti. Lecture notes and home work assignments will be posted on this blog. 

FOR 420 Forest Ecology  -  Tuesday 2 – 5pm                     Fall 2013        

aucfor420.blogspot.com                           American University of the Caribbean

Ms. Debbie Baker, Master of Science - Wildlife Biology & Museum Studies

How to contact me:   In person – I will hold office hours in the classroom Tuesdays 1 – 1:50 pm.

 Or by email: debbieauc@gmail.com

Introduction

Welcome to Forest Ecology!  Together we will learn about the ecology of Haiti’s beautiful forests and forests of other regions of the world.  We will also learn how to research and convey this information to others with the goal of conserving our precious natural resources.

Goals

A basic understanding of the connections among abiotic and biotic factors in forests.

A basic insight into how climate and geography affect forests.

Critical thinking about ecological problems affecting Haiti.

Experience in researching and reading scientific studies.

Grading

Participation                15%     Includes being on time for class – be here at 2pm!

Quizzes & homework 20%     Be prepared for a quiz each week!  You may or may not have one.

Research paper            25%

Mid-term                     20%

Final                            20%

If you will miss class, let me know before the class date!

·         There will be NO make-up quizzes!  If you miss class you will receive a zero on the quiz.  You cannot take it after the class.

·         You will not be able to take an exam after the scheduled date if you do not tell me in advance you will miss.

Homework will be graded on

·   Was it submitted on time?  You will receive a zero for turning it in late!                          

·   Did you address what I asked?

·   Is it legible? (can be hand written or typed)           

·   Thoughtfulness and completeness of your ideas. 

Literature

·         Main text book - Perry, J., R. Oren, S.C. Hart.  2008.  Forest Ecosystems, 2^nd ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, 632pp.  Hardcopy and 1^st ed. paperbacks available on reserve in library.

·         Kricher, J. 1997.  A Neotropical Companion, 2^nd ed. Princeton Press, 451pp.  In library reserve.

·         Kricher, J. 2010.  Tropical Ecology.  Princeton University Press, 640pp. In library reserve.

·         Binder of scientific articles on reserve in the library.

·         Handout Article 1 – Aubé, M. and L. Caron.  2001.  The mangroves of the north coast of Haiti - A preliminary assessment.  Wetlands Ecology and Management 9:271–278.

·         Handout Article 2 – Rimmer, C.C, J.M. Townsend, A.K. Townsend, E.M. Fernández, and J. Almonte.  2005.  Avian Diversity, Abundance, and Conservation Status in the Macaya Biosphere Reserve of Haiti.  Ornitologia Neotropical 16: 219–230.

Please turn off and put away cell phones during class. 

Schedule                  Topics___(subject to shifting or modification)____________________        

Week 1 Aug. 27      Introductions & Academic policies.  Forest Ecology & Definitions                            Homework due next week: Article 1 (mangroves) and questions.

Week 2 Sep. 3         Geography, Geology, & Forest Biomes         Journal article 1 discussion    

                                          Homework due next week: Article 2 (Macaya) and questions.

Week 3 Sep. 10       Quantifying diversity & patterns in forests               Journal article 2 discussion

Homework – Start thinking about a research paper topic about an environmental problem.  Look in the AUC library and on the internet for ideas.

Week 4 Sep. 17       Disturbance and succession

                                          Go to library and choose a research paper topic about an environmental problem.

                                          Homework due next week: Submit research topic with 2 library literature sources

Week 5 Sep. 24       Nutrient cycling and forest productivity

                                          Turn in research topic.      

                                          Homework due next week: Submit research topic outlines.

Week 6 Oct. 1         Forest food webs                     

                                          Turn in outlines.   

Week 7 Oct. 8         Movie & discussion, then outdoor explorations

                                          Outlines returned. 

                                          Homework – draft paper due Oct. 29.

Week 8 Oct. 15 & 16         Study days

Week 9 Oct. 22       Mid-Term Exam         

Week 10 Oct. 29     Watersheds

                                          Draft papers due!!!

Week 11 Nov. 5      Forest soils

                                           Drafts returned.  Homework - Final papers due Nov. 19!

Week 12 Nov. 12    Haiti’s forest fauna

                                          Homework - Final papers due next week!

Week 13 Nov. 19    Ecosystem stability

                                          Hand in papers!!!

Week 14 Nov. 26    Community education and forest management

                                          Papers returned.  Homework – Prepare 5 minute presentation of research topic.

Week 15 Dec. 3       Paper presentations

Dec. 9 & 10              Study Days

Dec. 17                     Final Exam