NR713/813

Quantitative Ecology

Paul C. Johnson

 

NR713/813  focuses on quantitative techniques associated with a variety of ecological topics. The lecture portion of the course deals primarily with ecological theory and techniques at the population and community level, and includes both elementary concepts and advanced topics. A prior course in ecology is required, as well as a general knowledge of math through calculus.

 

A portion of the course is designed to provide a flexible framework for application of theory through computer based exercises. The exercises are designed to demonstrate application of ecological theory to life table analysis, parameter estimation through sampling, modelling of population growth, and analysis of pattern and diversity in communities. 

 

 

Grading

 

Grading will be based on "take-home" exercises. There will be no formal exams or in-class testing.

 

                                                                   Letter Grade Scale

A   ≥93%                                C   ≥73% <77%

A- ≥90% <93%                     C-  ≥70% <73%

B+ ≥87% <90%                     D+ ≥67% <70%

B   ≥83% <87%                     D   ≥63% <67%

B-  ≥80% <83%                     D-  ≥60% <63%

C+ ≥77% <80%                     F   <60%

                                                                                                               

 

Text

 

There is no text for the course. Several classic papers on quantitative techniques  and their application (and some not so classic ones), will be provided through Blackboard, and students will have access to my library of quantitative ecology books and reprints.

 

 

Primary References

 

Alstad, D. 2001. Basic Populus Models of Ecology. Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

 

Crosby, A. W. 1997. The Measure of  Reality: Quantification and Western Society, 1250-1600. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, UK.

 

Donovan, T. M. and C. W. Welden. 2002. Spreadsheet Exercises in Ecology and Evolution. Sinauer Assoc., Sunderland, MA.

 

Donovan, T. M. and C. W. Welden. 2002. Spreadsheet Exercises in Conservation Biology and Landscape Ecology. Sinauer Assoc., Sunderland, MA.

 

Gold, H.J. 1977. Mathematical Modeling of Biological Systems: An Introductory Guidebook. Wiley - Interscience, New York, NY.

 

Kingsland, S.E. 1985. Modeling Nature: Episodes in the History of Population Ecology. U. Chicago Press, Chicago, IL.

 

Kormondy, E.J. (Ed.). 1965. Readings in Ecology. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

 

Krebs, C. J. 1999. Ecological Methodology (2^nd  Ed.). Benj. Cummings, San Francisco, CA.

 

Krebs, C.J. 2001. Ecology: The Experimental Analysis of Distribution and Abundance (5^th Ed.). Benj. Cummings, San Francisco, CA.

 

Logan, J. A., and F.P. Hain. 1991. Chaos and insect ecology. Virginia AES Info. Series 91-3, VPI&SU, Blacksburg, VA.

 

MacArthur, R.H., and E.O. Wilson. 1967. The theory of island biogeography. Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton, NJ.

 

May, R.M. (Ed.). 1976. Theoretical Ecology: Principles and Applications. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA.

 

Pielou, E.C. 1974. Population and community ecology: principals and methods. Gordon and Beach Sci. Publ., New York, NY.

 

Southwood, T.R.E. 1978. Ecological Methods (2nd Ed.). Chapman & Hall, London, UK.

 

For information

 

Paul C. Johnson

Department of Natural Resources

258 Spaulding Life Sciences Building

University of New Hampshire

Durham, NH 03824

Phone/FAX: (603) 862-1717

e-Mail: pcj@christa.unh.edu

 

Last modified on November 26, 2003.