BIOLĀ 0016H. Ecology of the Mendocino Coast

Unit: 1
Hours: 26 (14 lecture, 12 laboratory)
Field study examining the Northern California Coast and its diverse ecological environments. Using the Fort Bragg/Mendocino/Fort Ross areas, investigates the biological relationships found in: the redwood, riparian, pygmy, mixed evergreen and closed-cone pine forests, and the shoreline communities of tidepool, sandy beach, dune, prairie and scrub. Plants, animals, environmental factors and effects of human activities are assessed for each of the ecological communities examined. This class requires the ability to hike moderate distances on uneven ground. This class will involve camping in either developed campsites or in undeveloped wilderness areas. (CSU)

BIOL 0016H - Ecology of the Mendocino Coast

http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/course-outlines/biol-0016h/

Catalog Description Hours: 26 (14 lecture, 12 laboratory) Description: Field study examining the Northern California Coast and its diverse ecological environments. Using the Fort Bragg/Mendocino/Fort Ross areas, investigates the biological relationships found in: the redwood, riparian, pygmy, mixed evergreen and closed-cone pine forests, and the shoreline communities of tidepool, sandy beach, dune, prairie and scrub. Plants, animals, environmental factors and effects of human activities are assessed for each of the ecological communities examined. This class requires the ability to hike moderate distances on uneven ground. This class will involve camping in either developed campsites or in undeveloped wilderness areas. (CSU) Course Student Learning Outcomes CSLO #1: Describe and evaluate the impacts of humans on the environments of the Mendocino coast. CSLO #2: Describe the ecological and geological principles that affect the natural ecosystems of the Mendocino coast. CSLO #3: Explain the factors that have shaped the evolutionary adaptations of the organisms of the Mendocino coast. CSLO #4: Accurately document and interpret ecological observations made on a field trip to the Mendocino coast. Effective Term Fall 2022 Course Type Credit - Degree-applicable Contact Hours 26 Outside of Class Hours 28 Total Student Learning Hours 54 Course Objectives Course objectives are linked to items in the course content outline (parentheses) Lecture Objectives: 1. Evaluate the factors that have affected the formation of the ecosystems of the Mendocino coast. (Lecture Outline #1, #2, #5) 2. Apply ecological terminology to the description of the ecosystems of the Mendocino coast. (Lecture Outline #1, #2, #4, #5) 3. Investigate the interactions that local organisms have with the biotic and abiotic factors of their ecosystems. (Lecture Outline #1, #2, #3, #4, #5) 4. Explain the role that geology plays in the formation and delineation of communities of the Mendocino coast. (Lecture Outline #3) 5. Analyze the past and present effects that humans have on Mendocino coastal communities. (Lecture Outline #6) Laboratory Objectives: 1. Demonstrate the use of a taxonomic key or field guide to identify species. (Laboratory/Field Outline #1, #4) 2. Identify geological and hydrological features that impact the formation and function of Mendocino coastal communities. (Laboratory/Field Outline #2, #3) 3. Investigate the interactions that local organisms have with the biotic and abiotic factors of their ecosystems. (Laboratory/Field Outline #1, #2, #3, #4) 4. Identify examples of human impacts on Mendocino coastal communities. (Laboratory/Field Outline #4, #5) 5. Create a detailed field journal or summary report documenting the field experience. (Laboratory/Field Outline #6) General Education Information Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval) Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval) IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval) Articulation Information CSU Transferable Methods of Evaluation Projects Example: To address Course Lecture Objective #3, "Investigate the interactions that local organisms have with the biotic and abiotic factors of their ecosystems", students might be asked, either individually or in groups, to prepare a short oral presentation or written report or participate in a class discussion describing the major characteristics of a species of plant or animal occurring on the Mendocino coast and its role in the ecosystem. Students could be evaluated on participation, accuracy of information, attention to detail, and completeness. Reports Example: To address Course Lab Objective #5, "Create a detailed field journal or summary report documenting the field experience", students might be asked to write a report summarizing the ecosystems visited, geological and hydrological features observed, and species encountered. Students could be evaluated based on accuracy of information, attention to detail, and completeness of summary. Skill Demonstrations Example: To address Course Lab Objective #1, "Demonstrate the use of a taxonomic key or field guide to identify species", students might be asked to use a taxonomic key to correctly identify an organism. Students could be evaluated on the correctness of the answer, technique, and understanding of terminology in the key. Repeatable No Methods of Instruction Laboratory Lecture/Discussion Lab: To address Course Lab Objective #1, "Demonstrate the use of a taxonomic key or field guide to identify species", the instructor might lead the class in a demonstration of the use of a dichotomous key for a known specimen, and then guide students as they attempt the identification of an unknown specimen. To address Course Lab Objective "2, "Identify geological and hydrological features that impact the formation and function of Mendocino coastal communities", the instructor might point out such key features in the field, making comparisons to other such features observed in the field or described in the classroom. Students will then make and record their own observations and comparisons. Lecture: To satisfy Course Lecture Objective #4, "Explain the role that geology plays in the formation and delineation of communities of the Mendocino coast", the instructor might present a lecture (supplemented by images and/or video) that explains the geological history of the Mendocino coast, including what rock formations are present and how those have influenced the development of soils and species assemblages. Students will then make and record their own observations of geological features. To satisfy Course Lecture Objective #5, "Analyze the past and present effects that humans have on Mendocino coastal communities", the instructor might lead an in-class discussion about the historical impacts of humans on Mendocino coastal communities (e.g. logging, fishing, fur trapping, recreation, etc.). Typical Out of Class Assignments Reading Assignments 1. To address Course Lecture Objective #2, students might be asked to read a handout that describes basic ecological terminology or to read the Ecology unit from the OpenStax Biology online textbook and then apply this knowledge to descriptions of observations made in the field. 2. To address Course Lecture Objective #3 and Course Lab Objective #3, students might be asked to review life history information for a Mendocino coast species that is available in a field guide, handout, or a natural resource agency website and be prepared to discuss this in class. Writing, Problem Solving or Performance 1. To address Course Lecture Objective #4 and Course Lab Objective #2, students might be asked to write and/or prepare a short oral presentation about a geologic or hydrologic feature occurring in a Mendocino coast community. 2. To address Course Lab Objective #5, students might be asked to document their observations in the field in a journal, using any combination of text, sketches, photos, and/or other media. Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) Required Materials The New Beachcomber's Guide to the Pacific Northwest Author: Sept, J. Duane Publisher: Harbour Publishing Publication Date: 2019 Text Edition: Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Pacific Coast Tree Finder Author: Watts, Tom Publisher: Nature Study Guild Publishers Publication Date: 2004 Text Edition: 3rd Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling Author: Laws, John Muir Publisher: Heyday Books Publication Date: 2016 Text Edition: 1st Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.