This class is an introduction to the science of wetland ecology. The course is designed to build upon a student’s basic knowledge of ecology. There are no formal prerequisites for this course, but it will be taught with the assumption that students have knowledge of basic ecological principals. Reasonable preparation in this regard can be obtained in BLS 392 (Ecology), BLS 390 (Ecology & the Environment), or in some basic biology courses with a strong ecology component. If you do not have background knowledge of ecological science you are strongly advised to obtain that background before taking this course! This is not an STE breadth course. Please discuss this with your instructor if you have any questions.

Insight into wetland ecology requires understanding of the unique chemical environment that wetland soils provide. Hence, there will be a significant amount of chemistry to read about in some sections of the course. You will not be asked to know technical details of chemical reactions, but you will be expected to obtain a general knowledge of the chemistry of wetland soils and important chemical transformations that are critical to understanding the unique ecology of these systems. Some background in general college chemistry is advised, though not required (motivated students can likely handle the general nature in which the chemistry will be treated).

This text is simply the very best up-to-date textbook and general reference on wetland ecology that is available. It covers a diversity of topics well, from the distribution and nature of wetlands throughout the world to specific physiological adaptations of organisms to wetland environments. The order in which the text covers material is generally similar to that of this course, and the minor departures from this in the schedule should pose no fundamental problems.

Jan 2         Course Introduction & Mechanics / Ecology & Wetlands                         Chp 1 & 2

      4         Wetland Function & Classification: an overview                                         Chp 21

    11         Wetlands of the PNW: freshwater                                                              pp 377 - 384

    16         Wetlands of the PNW: estuarine                                                                 pp 261 - 273

    18         Local Freshwater Wetland Field Trip

    25         Wetland Hydrology Chp 5

Feb 1         Environmental Challenges & Adaptation                                                    Chp 7

      6         Environmental Challenges & Adaptation

      8         EXAMINATION 1

    13         Wetland Biogeochemistry                                                                         pp. 187–203 / 409-414

    15         Wetland Ecosystem Development: Succession                                          pp. 231-247

    20         Wetland Ecosystem Function: Productivity & Energy Flow                       pp. 247–256 / 401-408; 414-417

       6        Wetland Compensation: Design, Implementation &                                   Chp 19

     13       EXAMINATION 2

* Textbook readings should be done PRIOR to the listed class period (except for the Jan 2 readings).

The major project for this class is a comprehensive group assessment of an assigned wetland site. This project will be completed as a web site (complete with photos, maps, data, etc.) and a group-led field trip on either Saturday, March 3^rd or Sunday, March 4^th. The project will be graded both on your individual component, the overall group product and group participation. There will also be a peer evaluation component of the grading. Each student within the group will be responsible for gathering information in one of the following categories on your site:

1. Geography, topography, watershed context

2. Site history & wetland classification

3. Hydrology & soils

4. Vegetation

5. Animals

6. Human impacts, management & regulation

Winter is not the best time to conduct field assessments of wetlands. Thus, you will have to rely upon published documents, data, and interviews for your information. Such documentation will take time to gather. Thus, it is imperative that you begin your work very early in the quarter! Details on this assignment and its components will be available on a separate handout.

There are a number of instances in this class where working together with other students will be beneficial (studying for exams) or mandatory (assessment project). In the final project submission, the section you are responsible for should be your production alone, though it can be shaped by feedback from your peers. You should work with your group to be sure your material fits into the final product and covers the appropriate topics without undue duplication.

Your final grade will be based upon the percentage of 320 possible class points that you earn (i.e., your point total will be converted to a decimal score).

Overall Course Points:

Examination 1: 100 points (30 %)

Examination 2: 100 points (30 %)

Project: 140 points (40 %)

TOTAL 340 POINTS

You will be graded to the nearest tenth of a point, based upon the University’s 4-point scale. For benchmarks, you will need a 92% for a 4.0 grade, 80% for a 3.0, 68% for a 2.0 and 58% for a 0.7. I reserve the right to alter this scale if student scores are unusually low because examinations prove to be unexpectedly too difficult. I will not alter the scale in the opposite case – if everyone scores high then everyone can achieve a high grade. You will not receive letter grades on each assignment – only at the end of the course. You can get an idea of how you are doing by checking your decimal score against this scale. However, the best way to get a clear idea of where you stand is to meet with me. Be sure you are very familiar with the University’s withdrawal policies and deadlines!

Optional study questions will be provided prior to each exam and a review session will be held before each exam.

Examinations

The first exam will cover material presented through the end of the period on Feb 6.

The final examination will not be explicitly cumulative although some questions may require an understanding of concepts presented in the first portion of the class. The exams will strongly emphasize material presented in lectures, but may also include material from the textbook. For each exam you will be allowed to utilize 2 pages of notes (a page is one side of an 8.5 x 11 inch piece of paper). These notes must be handwritten and your original work. There are no restrictions on how small you write or what you can include as long as it is all in your handwriting! If your notes violate these guidelines you will not be allowed to use them on the exam. It is your responsibility to check with me well before the exam if you have any questions about your notes. The exams will consist mostly of a mixture of short answer and short essay questions.

Makeup exams will only be given in the case of true, documented emergencies. No early final exam will be given in any case.

Because of the highly interdisciplinary nature of the science of wetland ecology I have chosen to bring in a number of experts in various facets of the field. These individuals are respected leaders in their disciplines and will provide you with exciting, in-depth perspectives. The material presented in these periods should be considered as equivalent in importance to any material I will present during the class periods I conduct. The material presented by these guest speakers will appear on the exams.

Office Hours: 1:15-3:15 Thursday and by appointment. I may adjust these hours depending upon when most students can make office hours. I also encourage you to submit questions using e-mail.

If you feel there was a problem with grading you must follow this procedure to have your exam regraded: First read carefully the answer key and any comments written on your exam. Write a concise description of the problem with the grading and submit both the original exam and your description to me within one week after you receive the exam. I will not reevaluate grades more than one week after their return in class. Also note that it is always possible that upon reevaluation I may decide to award fewer points than in the original grading.