Biology 314: Field Biology -- Spring 2007

The Field Biology course has these main components:

PLEASE NOTE: This schedule of readings is meant to be self-paced and I am arranging it so topics will be covered on a weekly basis, and material will correspond with our field trip experiences. I encourage you to keep up with the readings so you will understand, enjoy, remember and absorb as much as possible.

See Textbooks for Biology 314

DATE
TOPICS
ACTIVITIES
READINGS & REMINDERS

February 3
First Class Meeting
9 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Introduction to Field Biology;California's Natural Regions

Meet in Ukiah Classroom; Form Field Groups; Using Identification Keys; Pressing Herbarium Specimens

Handouts

February 10

Geomorphic Provinces & Biological Communities
Basic Ecology: The Living Ecosystem

Work on Independent Projects

Schoenherr: Introduction & Chapter 1

February 17
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Forests of the Sierra Nevada; Mixed Evergreen Forest, Riparian Woodlands, and Edaphic Communities

Meet in Ukiah Classroom;
Field Trip to Montgomery Woods; wear good walking shoes or hiking boots; bring lunch and water

Schoenherr: Chapter 2
Schoenherr: Chap.4, pp 92 -122
BRING GUIDE BOOKS!

February 24

Meet at 10:30 a.m. (to 3:30)

Basic Geology of California; Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes and Faults;
Geologic Events in the History of California

Field Trip to Mendocino Ecological Staircase, Jughandle State Preserve
wear good walking shoes or hiking boots; bring lunch and water
Ecology in the Field

BRING GUIDE BOOKS! Schoenherr: Chapter 3

March 3

California's Unique Forests
Redwood Forest; The Coast Ranges;
Biotic Zonation of the Coast Ranges

Work on Independent Projects

Schoenherr: Chapter 7, pp 283-312

March 10

The California Coast and Estuaries Coastline; Marine Food Webs; Zonation; Adaptations to Stress; Life in the Water
Wave Action & Tides

Midterm Exam #1 emailed to students
Chap. 1, 2, 3, and part of 4
Work on Independent Projects

Schoenherr: Chapter 12, pp 642-693

March 17

Meet at 12:00 noon (to 5:00 p.m.)

Rocky Intertidal Communities & Tidepools;
Mudflats, Salt Marshes & Estuaries;
Human Impact on the Marine Environment
Midterm Exam #1 due!

Field Trip to Aquatic Environments:
MacKerricher State Beach & Lake Cleone; wear wading boots or shoes that can get wet; bring lunch and water
Ecology in the Field: some experimental techniques

Continue Schoenherr: Chapter 12, pp 642-693
BRING GUIDE BOOKS!

March 24

Mountains of California

Work on Independent Projects

Chap. 6, pp 228-236;
Chap. 7, pp 261-282

March 31

Geology of the Sierra Nevada; Ecological Effects of Hydraulic Mining in the Sierra

Work on Independent Projects

Chap. 4, pp 69-94 & pp 123-166

April 7

Mountaintops: Ecological Islands (of Relicts & Endemics)

Work on Independent Projects

Chap. 5, pp 167-182 & pp 210-215

April 21

Midterm Exam #2 emailed to students

Work on Independent Project

Chap. 4, 6 and 7

April 28

Midterm Exam #2 due!
Deserts of California;

The Los Angeles Basin and coastal islands;
Strategies of Desert Plants and Animals

Field Trip to Fairfield Osborn Preserve; Meet at SSU at 10:00 a.m.
Wear good walking shoes or hiking boots; bring lunch and water.

Chap. 9, pp 406-425, pp 454-456, & pp 514-515
BRING GUIDE BOOKS!

May 5

The Great Central Valley of California; Grassland Habitats; Disappearance of Native Vegetation in the Central Valley

Work on Independent Projects

Chap. 10, pp 516-543

May 12

Final Exam emailed to students
California Inland Waters
: Lakes; Streams and their Biota

Work on Independent Projects

Chap. 11, pp 553-569; pp 570-626 (parts)

May 19

Meet in Ukiah classroom at 9:00 a.m.
Takehome Final Exam DUE

Hand in Papers and Herbaria
Student Presentations

Comprehensive Final Exam


The Saturdays (above) on which we are meeting as a class are highlighted in red!

Also, PLEASE NOTE: any changes to this schedule will be announced via email and/or Web CT.

 Go to Marilyn Cannon's homepage.

Marilyn Cannon , February 19, 2007