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