Biology 351/352 -- Introduction to Ecology

Lectures and Assignments 2001

Textbooks

Ricklefs, R. E. 2001. The Economy of Nature, 5th Edition.
W. H. Freeman.

Harris, R. N. 2001. Coursepack # 45 (optional)

Date

Lecture Topic
Reading and assignments

Aug. 27

Introduction; Class business
1

Aug. 39

Hypotheses, surveys, experiments
Begin 20 questions exercise

Aug. 31

Distribution I: dispersal and habitat selection
13

Correlation is not causation.

Sep. 3

Distribution II: biotic factors

Sep. 5

Distribution III: abiotic factors
20 questions exercise due

Sep. 7

Population growth
14

Distribution of species is limited by barriers and unfavorable environments.

Sep. 10

Life tables I

No population can increase without limits (density dependence).

Sep. 12

Life tables II
20 questions exercise returned

Sep. 14

Population regulation I

Sep. 17

Population regulation II
15

Sep. 19

Metapopulations

Overexploited populations can collapse.

Sep. 21

Population genetics and evolution
16

Good and poor places exist for every species.

Sep. 24

Sexual reproduction
11

Sep. 26
TEST I
covers through Sep. 21

Sep. 28

Family and society I
12

Oct. 1

Family and society II
hypothesis/proposal due

Oct. 3

Adaptation to variable environments
3

Oct. 5

Evolution of life histories
10

Oct. 8

Interspecific competition I
19

Oct. 10

Interspecific competition II

Ecological systems are the products of evolution.

Oct. 12

Predation 1
17

Oct. 15

Predation II
18

Oct. 17

Predation III
Journal article report due

Oct. 19

Fall break -- NO CLASS

Oct. 22

Integrated pest management

Oct. 24
TEST II
covers Sep. 24-- Oct. 22

Keystone species may be essential to a community.

Oct. 26

Mutualisms
Poster topics due -- 20

Oct. 29

Coevolution

Mutualisms are a common and important type of species interaction

Oct. 31

Community Structure
21

Nov. 2

Species-area relationships; island biogeography

Nov. 5

Community development
22

Nov. 7

Disturbance to communities

Nov. 9

Competition, predation, and disturbance

Nov. 12

Physical environment
2,5

Nov. 14

Primary production
Posters due

Communities can undergo succession.

Nov. 16

Energy flow
6

Nov. 19

Pathways of elements
7

Nov. 21-23

Thanksgiving Break

Nov. 26

Biodiversity
23

Natural systems recycle essential minerals.

Nov. 28
TEST III
covers Oct 26 -- Nov. 19

Nov. 30

Threats to biodiversity
25

Dec. 3

Conservation at the population and species level
26

Dec. 5

Conservation at the community level

Dec. 7

Review

Conservation depends on economic, political, and biological issues.

Dec. 14
FINAL EXAMINATION -- 0800 to 1000

"Take home messages" based on C. J. Krebs. The Message of Ecology.

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